Abnormal illness behaviour (dysnosognosia)

This paper reviews the concept of abnormal illness behaviour (dysnosognosia). The need for a multidisciplinary approach is emphasized, especially for patients who affirm the presence of somatic illness in an inappropriate way. Taking the multidisciplinary pain clinic as a model of this approach, the range of treatments available is discussed. It is suggested that 'thymologia' and 'somatologia' may be more value-free ways of describing patients' verbal behaviour than alexithymia, and that psychotherapeutic methods can be utilized if a flexible style is adopted.