Somatic Presentations of Mental Disorders: Refining the Research Agenda for DSM-V

Sometimes described as the nemesis of the primary care physician, somatoform disorders are frustrating, expensive to treat, and under-investigated. Somatic Presentations of Mental Disorders provides a fascinating and practical review of the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of this category of disease. It summarizes the proceedings of a unique international conference that convened experts from across disciplines to review perspectives on somatoform disorders. Organized with the practitioner in mind, the book surveys the latest research on phenomenology; etiology and clinical course; and treatment options. Unlike other literature on the topic, this book explores the entire range of this category of disorders, including conversion disorder, chronic pain and fatigue, and the multitude of presentations of medically unexplained symptoms. The contributions of international experts provide unique insights into cultural factors affecting the presentation and treatment of somatic disorders globally. In addition to providing an invaluable reference for clinicians in many disciplines, the book identifies specific gaps in the research literature, and addresses issues of nosology in advance of the publication of DSM-V. Comprehensive, thoughtful, and up-to-date, it is a must-read for clinicians with somatizing patients.