Biomedical subjects

G Tabas

Publications and source records attributed to G Tabas.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Somatizing patients: part II. Practical management.

Somatization is the experiencing of physical symptoms in response to emotional distress. It is a common and costly disorder that is frustrating to patients and physicians. Successful treatment of somatization requires giving an acceptable explanation of the symptoms to the patient, avoiding unwarranted interventions and arranging brief but regular office visits so that the patient does not need to develop new symptoms in order to receive medical attention. Antidepressants may be helpful in many patients, as well as cognitive psychotherapy when patients are willing to participate in it. Typical problems in managing such patients can be addressed by relying on the continuity established through regular visits to the same primary care physician.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

PubMed2000

Somatizing patients: Part I. Practical diagnosis.

The phenomenon of somatization, which results in unexplained physical complaints, is ubiquitous in primary care settings although it often goes unrecognized. Medical training emphasizes the identification and treatment of organic problems and may leave physicians unprepared to recognize and address somatoform complaints. As a process, somatization ranges from mild stress-related symptoms to severe debilitation. Patients at the low end of the spectrum often respond to simple reassurance, but patients who are more impaired require interventions specifically designed to avoid unnecessary exposure to dangerous, costly and frustrating diagnostic procedures and treatments.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

PubMed1999

The somatizing patient.

Somatization is the experience of physical symptoms in response to emotional distress. It is common, costly, and frustrating to both the patient and physician. Successful treatment of somatization requires the physician to pursue a positive diagnosis rather than rely on a diagnosis of exclusion. Treatment consists of giving an acceptable explanation of the symptoms to the patient, avoiding unwarranted interventions, and arranging brief but regular office visits for which the patient does not need to develop a new symptom to receive medical attention.

Diagnosis, Differential↗