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.

Group therapy and the somatoform patient: An integration.

“…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).…”