Treatment of Functional Somatic Symptoms

There is currently a great deal of interest in patients with functional somatic symptoms - physical complaints which are not explained by organic findings - but until now there has been little information available on the principles and practical methods of management. This book covers all the main themes in the management of somatic disorders, and will be invaluable both as a comprehensive academic refernence and as a practical clinical guide. The author covers problems specific to children and the elderly, and organization of care, as well as clinical syndromes such as hypochondriasis and chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and low back pain.Treatment of functional somatic symptoms is the first comprehensivce, authoritative and practical guide on the management of a wide variety of medically unexplained symptoms which are very frequent in all areas of primary and hospital care. The book will be useful to clinicians and to research workers as a source book and clinical manual.Contents: Historical review of management of nervous and somatic disorder; Overview of epidemiology, classification and aetiology; Overview of treatment; How to engage the patioent in treatment; The use of antidepressants and other drug treatments; Cognitive behavioural treatment; Psychodynamic treatment; Hypocondriasis; Patients with multiple symptoms; Chronic Pain; Treatment of dysmorphophobia; Irritable bowel and abdominal pain; Pre-menstrual tension; Chronic fatigue; Low back pain; Pelvic pain; Treatment of somatic symptoms in the elderly; Management of somatic symptoms in children; Management in primary care; Management in general hospitals