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Related Experiment Videos

Functional somatic syndromes.

A J Barsky1, J F Borus

  • 1Division of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.

Annals of Internal Medicine
|June 22, 1999
PubMed
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Functional somatic syndromes involve significant suffering and disability without clear tissue abnormalities. Psychosocial factors amplify symptoms, perpetuating a cycle of illness and disability.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Science
  • Psychiatry
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Functional somatic syndromes (FSS) are characterized by significant suffering and disability, often without clear demonstrable tissue abnormalities.
  • These syndromes, including chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, share common phenomenologies, high co-occurrence rates, and increased psychiatric comorbidity.
  • Patients often present with elaborate self-diagnoses and symptoms refractory to standard treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the self-perpetuating cycle of symptom amplification in functional somatic syndromes.
  • To identify key psychosocial factors contributing to the perpetuation of suffering and disability in FSS.
  • To present a strategy for managing patients with functional somatic syndromes.

Main Methods:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Review of literature and clinical observations concerning functional somatic syndromes.
  • Analysis of psychosocial factors contributing to symptom amplification and the "sick role."
  • Description of a proposed six-step management strategy for FSS patients.

Main Results:

  • A self-perpetuating cycle, driven by psychosocial factors, exacerbates somatic distress and disability in FSS.
  • Key amplifying factors include belief in serious illness, negative expectations, the "sick role" (including litigation), and catastrophic media portrayals.
  • The current climate, including media sensationalism and overemphasis on biomedical factors, perpetuates patient distress and disability.

Conclusions:

  • Functional somatic syndromes are perpetuated by a complex interplay of somatic symptoms and psychosocial factors.
  • Addressing psychosocial influences, including patient beliefs and societal factors, is crucial for managing FSS.
  • A structured, psychosocially informed approach is necessary to help patients with functional somatic syndromes.