Somatization disorder

Alternative names:

Briquet's syndrome

Treatment:

The goal of treatment is to help the person learn to control the symptoms.

A supportive relationship with a sympathetic health care provider is the most important aspect of treatment. Regularly scheduled appointments should be maintained to review symptoms and the person's coping mechanisms. Acknowledgment and explanation of test results should occur. It is not helpful to tell the people with this disorder that their symptoms are imaginary.

Expectations (prognosis):

People with a somatization disorder rarely acknowledge that their illness has a psychological component and will usually reject psychiatric treatment.

Complications:

There is a possibility that a real disease may be overlooked by their health care provider in people with a somatization disorder because of a previous history of unfounded complaints.

Complications may result from invasive testing and multiple evaluations looking for the cause of the symptoms.

A dependency on pain relievers or sedatives may develop.

A poor relationship with the health care provider seems to worsen the condition, as does evaluation by many providers.

Calling your health care provider:

(A good relationship with a consistent primary health care provider is helpful. Call for an appointment if there is a significant change in symptoms.)