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A prevention programme for somatoform disorders is effective for affective disorders
Javier García-Campayo1, Elisa Arevalo, Luis Manuel Claraco
1Department of Psychiatry, Miguel Servet University Hospital, University of Zaragoza, Spain. jgarcamp@arrakis.es
Journal of Affective Disorders
|July 22, 2009
Summary
A psycho-educational program for primary prevention did not reduce somatoform disorders but helped prevent anxiety and depression in primary care patients. It improved psychological attributions and internal locus of control.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Primary Care Medicine
- Health Psychology
Background:
- Somatoform disorders pose a significant public health challenge, often originating in primary care settings.
- Early intervention is crucial for managing somatization and related psychological distress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a psycho-educational program for the primary prevention of somatoform disorders in healthy primary care patients.
- To assess the program's impact on hypochondriasis, locus of control, symptom attribution, and psychological distress.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 104 primary care patients.
- Participants were assigned to either a psycho-educational intervention or a control group (no intervention).
- Outcomes were measured at 5-year follow-up, including psychiatric diagnosis, hypochondriasis, locus of control, and psychological distress.
Main Results:
- The intervention group showed significant reductions in hypochondriasis and somatic attributions, alongside increased psychological and normalizing attributions and internal locus of control.
- No significant difference in somatoform disorder prevalence was observed between groups at 5 years.
- However, the intervention group exhibited lower overall psychiatric morbidity and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Conclusions:
- The psycho-educational program is effective in preventing anxiety and depressive disorders, rather than somatoform disorders directly.
- The findings suggest benefits in modifying psychological attributions and enhancing coping mechanisms.
- Further research into psychobiological mechanisms underlying these effects is warranted.
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