Somatization is the generation of somatic symptoms due to psychological distress, often coinciding with a tendency to seek medical help for them.[1][2] The term somatization was introduced by Wilhelm Stekel in 1924.[3]
Sigmund Freud's case study of Anna O. featured a woman who suffered from numerous physical symptoms, which Freud believed were the result of repressed grief over her father's illness, although his assessment has been questioned by later research as treatment did not resolve her symptoms.[8]
Based on multiple systematic reviews, the initial suggested treatment for somatic symptom disorder is regular, scheduled outpatient visits every 4–8 weeks that are not based on active symptoms. These visits often focus on establishing a therapeutic alliance, legitimizing the somatic symptoms, and limiting diagnostic tests and referral to specialists.[10][11]
↑Lipowski ZJ (1988). "Somatization: the concept and its clinical application". Am J Psychiatry. 145 (11): 1358–68. doi:10.1176/ajp.145.11.1358. PMID3056044.
↑P. S. Sutker/H. E. Adams, Comprehensive Handbook of Psychopathology (2001) p. 216
↑Gupta, Deepti; Perez Edgar (Jan 2012). "The role of temperament in somatic complaints among young female adults". Journal of Health Psychology. 17 (1): 26–35. doi:10.1177/1359105311405351. PMID21562070. S2CID20095444.
↑Gordon-Elliott, Janna S.; Muskin, Philip R. (November 2010). "An approach to the patient with multiple physical symptoms or chronic disease". The Medical Clinics of North America. 94 (6): 1207–1216, xi. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2010.08.007. ISSN1557-9859. PMID20951278.
↑Croicu, Carmen; Chwastiak, Lydia; Katon, Wayne (September 2014). "Approach to the patient with multiple somatic symptoms". The Medical Clinics of North America. 98 (5): 1079–1095. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2014.06.007. ISSN1557-9859. PMID25134874.
