The Effect of Depression Comorbid with Somatization Disorder: An Empirical Investigation

Abstract

The present study investigated the effects of comorbid major depression in a sample of 175 patients diagnosed with somatization disorder (SD) as defined in DSM-IV. Comparisons were made between SD with current comorbid major depressive disorder and SD without current depression comorbidity. The data indicated that both a diagnosis of comorbid major depressive disorder and the presence of depression symptoms predicted greater disability and more impaired functioning. The results of the study are discussed and interpreted.