Group psychotherapy for patients with chronic multiple somatic complaints

Schoenberg, Bernard; Senescu, Robert

doi:10.1016/0021-9681(66)90063-4

Cited by 15 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…More dynamic forms of psychotherapy have also been employed with overutilizers of medical services. Schoenberg and Senescu (1966) studied a group of seven female patients who for 4 years prior to psychotherapy had had an average of 12 outpatient visits per year for various somatic complaints. Following nearly 2 years of weekly group therapy meetings, the number of visits decreased to an average of 2.3 per year, remaining low for 7 years.…”

Section: Psychotherapy With Inappropriate Utilizers Of Medical Servicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychotherapeutic interventions in physical health: Effectiveness and economic efficiency.

Olbrisch¹

1977

American Psychologist

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Two questions are addressed: (a) Does research support the hypothesis that psychotherapy exerts a favorable influence on physical health? (6) Can psychotherapy be employed to change physical health on a cost-effective basis? Research with overutilizers of medical services, surgical patients, and other groups is discussed in terms of methodological adequacy, and problems faced by researchers in these areas are explored. The effectiveness and economic efficiency of psychotherapeutic preparation for surgery are strongly supported. Studies with over-utilizers are promising, but randomized experiments are needed. Implications for inclusion of coverage of psychotherapy under national health insurance are discussed. This article is based on a manuscript submitted 'to the Critical Review Series of the Florida State University Department of Psychology. Appreciation is expressed to Lee Sechrest and Richard L. Hagen, who assisted in revision of an earlier version of this article. Requests for reprints should be sent to Mary Ellen Olbrisch, who is now at

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Section: Psychotherapy With Inappropriate Utilizers Of Medical Servicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychotherapeutic interventions in physical health: Effectiveness and economic efficiency.

Olbrisch¹

1977

American Psychologist

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“…Therapeutic actions of group therapy with somatizing patients that are frequently cited in the literature include: a) interpersonal changes (interpersonal learning, identification with similar others, increasing interpersonal contact, personal disclosure with peer acceptance), b) intrapsychic changes (increasing affect tolerance), and c) cognitive changes (provision of information, real world problem solving). It is felt that there are particular aspects of group process (dilution of the transference, provision of structure, opportunity for confrontation of narcissistic and somatizing defenses) and group technique (identification of nonverbal behavioral communications, actively fostering interaction) that foster these therapeutic actions ( Apfel-Savitz, Silverman & Bennett, 1977; Cunningham, Strassberg & Roback, 1978; Deter & Allert, 1983; Ford & Long, 1977; Froth & Jackson, 1976; Friedman, Jelly & Jelly, 1979, Karusu, 1979; Marx et al, 1984; MacKenzie & Pilling, 1972; Reckless & Fauntleroy, 1972; Roskin et al, 1980/1981; Rynearson & Melson, 1984, Rad & Ruppell, 1975; Schoenberg & Senescu, 1960; Schrefer, 1980/1981; Spitz, 1984; Udelman & Udelman, 1978).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Group therapy and the somatoform patient: An integration.

Levine¹,

Irving²,

Brooks³

et al. 1993

Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training

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Recent reports and literature reviews suggest that psychotherapeutic interventions with somatoform patients have efficacy. From their clinical experience with somatoform patients in general, the authors identify helplessness as the central psychotherapeutic issue for these patients. It is proposed that effective group therapy interventions have their impact through the addressing and working through of this affect. It is further proposed that there are certain paradigmatic stages in the group therapeutic process of addressing helplessness in somatoform patients. Technical issues with regard to membership selection and leadership style with this intervention are proposed.Somatization is the expression of emotional distress through physical symptoms (Barsky & Klerman, 1983). Patients whose symptoms involve a significant component of somatization ate accorded a distinct category in DSM-III-R: the Somatoform Disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 1987). The essential identifying feature of patients in this category is either the absence of organic pathology or a gross inconsistency between actual physical findings and the patient's level of impairment (American Psychiatric Association, 1987).Somatoform patients incur an enormous burden to the health care system, and to the economy

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