Somatoform disorders in patients with chronic pain

Authors/Creators

I Mohan
C Lawson-Smith
David A. Coall, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
G Van Der Watt
A Janca

Abstract

Objective: To assess the frequency and characteristics of somatoform disorders in patients with chronic pain. Method: The study took place in the psychiatric outpatient clinic of a rehabilitation hospital. Participants were interviewed using the World Health Organization Somatoform Disorders Schedule (WHO-SDS) version 2.0. Thirty new and 30 current attendees to the clinic were interviewed following referral by pain medicine specialists. Results: Somatoform disorders were commonly co-morbid with chronic pain in the study population. Persistent somatoform pain disorder (PSPD) was the commonest somatoform disorder. There was a significant difference between women and men suffering from somatic autonomic dysfunction (SAD). Conclusions: The findings of this study confirm that somatoform disorders are common co-morbid diagnoses in patients with chronic pain. Combining psychological treatments with medication, appropriate physical treatments and attending to social issues, may indeed improve the well-being of such patients.

RAS ID

18829

Document Type

Journal Article

Date of Publication

1-1-2014

Faculty

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School

School of Medical Sciences

Copyright

subscription content

Publisher

Sage Publications

Comments

Mohan I., Lawson-Smith C., Coall D.A., Van Der Watt G., Janca A. (2014). Somatoform disorders in patients with chronic pain. Australasian Psychiatry, 22(1), 66-70. Available here

Recommended Citation

Mohan, I., Lawson-Smith, C., Coall, D. A., Van Der Watt, G., & Janca, A. (2014). Somatoform disorders in patients with chronic pain. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1039856213511675