A Patient with Psychosomatic Symptoms

The doctor should not doubt the existence of the symptoms, their subjective severity or the degree of consequent functional impairment. Working together with the patient, the doctor should aim to establish an explanatory model for the symptoms. A long relationship with the treating doctor is often necessary before the patient is ready to start gradually broaching the psychosocial problems behind the symptoms.The assessment whether the patient is in need of psychotherapy as well as the treatment of any psychiatric comorbidity (depression, anxiety, personality disorder) may warrant a consultation with a psychiatrist.