Related Experiment Videos

Unexplained physical complaints

M Elena Garralda1

  • 1Academic Unit of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Imperial College London St Mary's Campus, London, UK. e.garralda@imperial.ac.uk

Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America
|May 19, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Childhood somatization involves physical symptoms from distress. Family cognitive treatments are effective, with multidisciplinary approaches beneficial for severe cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Psychology
  • Child Psychiatry
  • Behavioral Medicine

Background:

  • Unexplained physical complaints are frequent in children, often indicating childhood somatization or somatoform disorders.
  • Comorbidity with emotional symptoms and anxiety disorders is common in children with unexplained physical symptoms.
  • Risk factors include child's stress sensitivity, family history of mood/somatization disorders, and parental overinvolvement.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the understanding and management of childhood somatization and related disorders.
  • To identify risk factors associated with the development of somatization in children.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of different treatment approaches.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on childhood somatization, somatoform disorders, and unexplained physical symptoms.
  • Analysis of risk factors, including child vulnerabilities and family dynamics.
  • Assessment of evidence for various therapeutic interventions.

Main Results:

  • Family behavioral cognitive treatments demonstrate the strongest evidence of efficacy for childhood somatization.
  • Multidisciplinary and coordinated approaches are clinically effective for more severe presentations.
  • Identified risk factors provide insight into the etiology and prevention.

Conclusions:

  • Childhood somatization is a complex condition influenced by individual, familial, and environmental factors.
  • Evidence-based treatments, particularly family cognitive behavioral therapy, are recommended.
  • Integrated care models are crucial for managing severe or complex cases effectively.

Related Concept Videos

Respiratory System Abnormal Finding I: Inspection and Percussion01:30

Respiratory System Abnormal Finding I: Inspection and Percussion

Respiratory system abnormalities are a significant concern in healthcare due to their potential to indicate underlying severe conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, and pneumonia. These abnormalities can often be detected through physical examination methods like inspection and percussion.
Inspection Findings
During an inspection, several findings may suggest the presence of respiratory distress or disease. Pursed-lip breathing, where exhalation is slowed by...
Angina III: Clinical Manifestations and Assessment01:29

Angina III: Clinical Manifestations and Assessment

Angina manifests as chest pain, tightness, or squeezing discomfort typically located behind the breastbone. It can radiate to the neck, jaw, shoulders, and inner aspects of the upper arms, most commonly the left arm. Patients may experience shortness of breath, fatigue, profuse sweating, dizziness, indigestion, heartburn, palpitations, anxiety, and vomiting as accompanying symptoms. This pain often lasts a few minutes and is triggered by physical exertion, emotional stress, heavy meals, or cold...
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation01:21

Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation

Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...
Data Collection III01:05

Data Collection III

The physical assessment examines the patient for objective data that defines the patient's condition, and aids in formulating the nursing care plan. The purpose of physical assessment is a health status appraisal, which includes identifying health problems, and establishing a database for nursing intervention.
The principles to begin the physical assessment include conducting a comprehensive or problem-related history in a quiet, well-lit room, emphasizing privacy and comfort for the patient.
Cardiovascular System Abnormal Findings I: Inspection and Palpation01:29

Cardiovascular System Abnormal Findings I: Inspection and Palpation

In a cardiovascular examination, inspection and palpation are crucial for identifying abnormalities.
Abnormal findings observed during an inspection
Peptic Ulcer Disease III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:28

Peptic Ulcer Disease III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) presents with diverse symptoms depending on the location and severity of the ulcer. Clinical manifestations of peptic ulcer include dull pain and a burning sensation in the mid-epigastric region.
Few clinical manifestations differentiate gastric ulcers from duodenal ulcers. Distinctions in the location, timing, and pain relief are crucial for healthcare providers in differentiating between gastric and duodenal ulcers during clinical assessments.