Treatment of functional impairment in severe somatoform pain disorder: a case example

To describe the assessment and treatment of severe functional impairment in a young female adolescent with somatoform pain disorder.

Treatment included an inpatient hospital admission using a rehabilitation approach and behavior modification program. Standardized assessment of functional impairment and health-related quality of life was performed at baseline and follow-up. Diagnostic evaluation and treatment costs were computed using insurance and hospital billing data.

Pre-/postintervention measures of functional disability indicated significant improvement in physical and psychosocial functioning in everyday activities. Although costly, the inpatient admission decreased frequent health care use over the short term.

Delay in diagnosis of somatoform disorders may seriously extend children's disability and require more intensive treatment. Functional disability is a critical measure of treatment outcome in children with severe somatoform disorder. Future research concerning interventions for children with a broad range of recurrent and chronic pain symptoms can be strengthened through a focus on reducing functional disability.