Comorbid Conditions

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A part of the careful assessment and treatment of somatization disorder or undifferentiated somatoform disorder is the diagnosis of comorbid conditions, the treatment of which will be an important aspect of the management of the patients with these ailments. A recent study in Denmark indicated that 83%-100% of somatization disorder patients have comorbid conditions. The most frequent conditions associated with somatization disorder are major depression, anxiety disorder, personality disorders, and medical problems.

Major depression occurs in approximately 55% of patients with somatization disorder, generalized anxiety disorder in 34%, and panic disorder in 26%. Personality disorders are especially prevalent in patients with somatization disorder and presumably in patients with undifferentiated somatoform disorder as well. Sixty-one percent of somatization disorder patients have one or more co-occurring personality disorders. The most common personality disorders are avoidant, paranoid, and obsessive-compulsive.

Medical problems also occur in patients with somatization disorder and undifferentiated somatoform disorder. In the diagnosis and treatment of these associated conditions, the clinician must look for signs of disease and treat accordingly rather than relying on the symptom that is the patient’s primary focus.

RELATED STORIES:
Making the Correct Diagnosis   Indications for Consultation or Joint Care   Somatization Disorder and Undifferentiated Somatoform Disorder   Treatment Approaches for Undifferentiated Somatoform Disorder   Differential Diagnosis of Somatization Disorder and Undifferentiated Somatoform Disorder   Understanding the Course of Somatization Disorder and Undifferentiated Somatoform Disorder   Following General Management Techniques for Somatization Disorder   Specific Treatment Approaches for Somatization Disorder   Somatization Disorder and Undifferentiated Somatoform Disorder Diagnostic Issues   Consideration of Psychosocial Factors

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