Abnormal illness behavior of patients with functional somatic symptoms: relation to psychiatric disorders

Citation
Yq. Guo et al., Abnormal illness behavior of patients with functional somatic symptoms: relation to psychiatric disorders, GEN HOSP PS, 23(4), 2001, pp. 223-229
Citations number
45
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Psychiatry,"Clinical Psycology & Psychiatry
Journal title
GENERAL HOSPITAL PSYCHIATRY
ISSN journal
0163-8343 → ACNP
Volume
23
Issue
4
Year of publication
2001
Pages
223 - 229
Database
ISI
SICI code
0163-8343(200107/08)23:4<223:AIBOPW>2.0.ZU;2-J
Abstract
Functional somatic symptoms are highly associated with hypochondriasis, anx iety, and depressive disorders. Despite the absence of an organic disorder, underlying psychological distress of patients with functional somatic symp toms may result in abnormal illness behavior such as inadequate treatment s eeking or overuse of medical services. Using the Illness Behavior Questionn aire (IBQ), we examined the illness behavior of Japanese patients visiting a general medicine clinic whose physical symptoms were considered functiona l. We used the General Health Questionnaire-30 to classify patients with fu nctional somatic symptoms as those with and without psychological distress. Patients with distress (n=35) reported more physical complaints and higher IBQ scores than did patients without distress (n=22). The IBQ profile of p atients with psychological distress was identical to that of patients diagn osed with either hypochondriasis or major depression. The illness behavior of patients without psychological distress was indistinguishable from that of patients whose physical symptoms were attributed to organic disease. The se results further support the hypothesis that functional somatic symptoms may be associated with hypochondriasis and major depression, the pathology of which may contribute to the development of abnormal illness behavior. (C ) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.