How to care for somatizers? Description of a program and summarized case reports

Abstract

Cases of somatization disorders are seen very frequently in health care services and account for a large number of medical consultations and significant expenses. Despite the importance of this health problem, we don't know many specialized services to take care of this population. Two summarized cases of somatizer patients are presented, emphasizing the most frequent aspects of their condition and the problems found in their treatment. Also, a service for somatizer patients associated with a public university (Universidade Federal de São Paulo/Escola Paulista de Medicina) is described: its screening procedures, medical consultations, and psychosocial and psychoterapeutical groups. The difficulty in approaching this group of patients and possible models of intervention are also presented.

Somatization; Somatoform disorders; Treatment; Mental health services