[Functional somatic symptoms - a large patient group in need of biopsychosocial competencies]

Functional somatic symptoms are symptoms that cannot be attributed to any known, well-defined physical disease, but may be very disabling for the patient. Functional symptoms may arise from almost any part of the body and they are common in practically all areas of medicine. Arranging the care for these patients poses a substantial challenge for many professionals, with a great degree of distress for the patients and costs for the health care system. A biopsychosocial approach is needed to understand the complex mechanisms involved. There are several evidence-based treatment methods for these disorders, but in Sweden, they have not yet been put into practice on a larger scale. The TERM model, as well as other models, has been developed for practitioners to help the patient to change focus, and engage in treatment options better suited for their condition. Consultation-liaison psychiatry is considered an important part of the health care provided for these patients.