[Inpatient treatment for refractory PSS].

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychosomatic Medicine
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Persistent somatic symptoms (PSS) are physical symptoms lasting months, causing distress and functional impairment.
• Refractory PSS presents treatment challenges, with inpatient admission often considered.
• Existing treatments may fail or cause adverse effects in severe cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To illustrate the challenges and outcomes of inpatient treatment for refractory PSS.
• To highlight the importance of a structured admission process for effective PSS management.

Main Methods:

• Presentation of two contrasting case studies of patients with refractory PSS undergoing inpatient treatment.
• Analysis of the impact of a structured biopsychosocial approach versus a poorly prepared admission.

Main Results:

• Patient A experienced improved functioning and reduced suicidality following a structured, planned biopsychosocial intervention.
• Patient B had a negative experience due to unmet expectations and diagnostic process disappointment.
• Successful inpatient treatment for refractory PSS is contingent upon collaborative expectation setting and goal definition.

Conclusions:

• A well-prepared inpatient admission process, involving patients, relatives, and healthcare professionals, is vital for refractory PSS.
• Jointly established expectations and agreed-upon concrete goals facilitate the initiation of the recovery process.
• The approach to inpatient care significantly influences treatment outcomes in persistent somatic symptom disorder.