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--but until now there has been little information available on the principles and practical methods of their treatment. This book covers all the key topics in the management of somatic disorders, and will be invaluable both as a comprehensive reference and as a practical clinical guide. The authors have included material on the problems specific to children and the elderly, the organization of service provision, as well as the clinical syndromes characteristic of somatic disorders such as hypochondriasis, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, 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 encountered frequently in all areas of primary and hospital care. The book will be useful to clinicians and to research workers as a source book and a clinical manual.