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Revista Colombiana de Psiquiatría
Print version ISSN 0034-7450
Abstract
NOGUERA ALFONSO, Efraín; BAYONA ORTIZ, Hernán and DAVILA PLATA, Andrés. A Case of Somatization Disorder. rev.colomb.psiquiatr. [online]. 2007, vol.36, n.2, pp.349-358. ISSN 0034-7450.
Background: Somatoform disorders are generally under-diagnosed and seldom treated in hospital psychiatric services, generally due to the patient’s resistance to accept the fact that the problem is emotional and not organic. We believe it is important to report these cases in order to broaden our knowledge of this disorder. Objective: To present a case of Somatization Disorder and verify the literature. Methodology: A complete history was carried out, together with a bibliographic review and a discussion establishing a contrast between the clinical findings and the existing literature. Results: Cardiology, Medicine, Gastroenterology and Neurology ruled out a known medical disease that could explain the patient’s symptoms. Clinical characteristics found in the psychiatric evaluation strengthened the diagnosis of a somatoform disorder. DSM IV TR diagnostic criteria were difficult to apply since these were found to be very restrictive. In spite of that we believe the diagnosis to be Somatization Disorder even though it does not completely fulfill the DSM IV TR diagnostic criteria. Conclusions: Good communication among the different medical specialties and with the patient improve the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of the disease. It is necessary to apply different types of psychotherapy in the treatment of these patients in primary care.
Keywords : Somatoform disorders; somatization; diagnosis.