Somatic symptom and related disorders

Somatic symptom and other related disorders are chronic and difficult psychiatric presentations for providers to assess, diagnose, and treat and are seen more in the medical than psychiatric setting. Because patients with these disorders are commonly referred to the consultation-liaison service, it is important for hospital-based mental health professionals to understand these illnesses. Identifying and differentiating between these diagnoses requires an understanding of several factors, including the patient’s medical history, circumstances that may be driving behavior, and careful evaluation of the patient’s awareness of these factors. Such factors are also essential in directing treatment, which tends to be time intensive and prolonged. This article provides an illustrative case and general guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses under the category of somatic symptoms and related disorders.