Somatoform pain disorder

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Somatoform pain disorder

Alternative Names:

Pain disorder; Body dysmorphic disorder

Treatment:

Some patients may resent the idea that their pain has a psychological component and may refuse treatment by a mental health professional. Nevertheless, many chronic pain syndromes, including those with a definitive physical source, can be effectively treated with antidepressants.

Supportive measures such as hot and cold packs, physical therapy, distraction techniques, and massage can also be helpful. Prescription and non-prescription pain medications are usually not effective and can make matters worse due to potentially serious side effects.

Support Groups:

Comprehensive treatment at pain centers may be of benefit for people with this disorder.

Expectations (prognosis):

The outlook is worse for patients who have had symptoms for a long time or those who receive some benefit from their impairment, such as disability payments.

Complications:

Surgical complications and addictions to prescription pain medications can develop if used inappropriately to treat this condition.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you or your child is suffering from chronic pain.

Review Date: 12/9/2004
Reviewed By: James W. Dilley, M.D., Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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