Psychiatric Treatment of Chronic Somatizing Patients: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Somatization is a very common condition although these patients are usually seen by general medical practitioners rather than mental health professionals. In a pilot demonstration study, chronic somatizers were significantly improved in a group psychotherapy treatment modality. The somatization was ameliorated and their functioning was significantly improved. Our findings strongly suggest that these patients should be clearly conceptualized as psychiatric and would respond well to traditional psychiatric treatment modalities. As we move towards a National Health Insurance type of health care system, dealing appropriately with this problem becomes extremely important, considering the fiscal drain these patients impose on the health care system and the degree of symptomatic and functional improvement possible with an adequate psychiatric approach.