Therapeutic models for somatoform disorders in liaison psychiatry

Abstract

Somatoform disorders are usually supposed to be seen in the clinical field of consultation-liaison (C-L) psychiatry. This study reviewed medical records of physically ill inpatients who were also treated by psychiatrists for concurrent psychiatric illnesses during a 5-year period. The prevalence of somatoform disorders was 40 out of 1581 cases (2.5%), which was unexpectedly low. From the perspective of C-L psychiatry, the authors propose three therapeutic models for somatoform disorders: 1. physician-oriented with psychiatric advice; 2. psychiatrist-oriented; and 3. cooperative physician/psychiatrist-oriented. The third model is particularly recommended because the patient can undergo physical examinations until the relationship between somatic complaints and psychosocial factors is recognized. Moreover, the psychiatrist can build an alliance with a patient, while the patient completes a ‘testing phase’ to determine whether the psychiatrist can be relied on or not. The third model is useful as such and can be used at least in the initial phase.

Key Words:

• consultation-liaison psychiatry
• general hospital psychiatry
• somatoform disorder
• somatization disorder
• primary care