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. This volume explores the principles and practical management methods of somatic disorders from both a clinical and an academic perspective. 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 reference and as a practical clinical guide. The authors cover problems specific to children and the elderly, and organization of care, as well as the clinical syndromes such as hypochondriasis and chronic pain, chronic fatique, and low back pain. Treatment of functional somatic symptoms is the first comprehensive, 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.