[Psychosomatics in children with severe neurogenetic and complex neurological diseases]

Psychosomatic disorders are reported in approximately 10% of clinical populations of children and adolescents. A burden of psychosomatic symptoms is found in about 25% to 40% in both care-seeking and clinical populations. For some of these symptoms the figure is even higher. In contrast, psychosomatic comorbidities may be underdiagnosed in children and adolescents with neurogenetic and complex neurological disorders. We initially investigated this potential underdiagnosis with a systematic literature search. As only few neuropediatric publications on this specific topic were found, publications from neighboring disciplines were included as well. The failure to record comorbid psychosomatic stress could be due to the complex symptomatology of this patient group. Other possible causes concern communication problems within the family and between parents and experts, or insufficient cooperation between the specialist groups involved. Suggestions include potential further development in diagnostic techniques and strategies of communication. New diagnostic and therapeutic perspectives arise when symptoms are understood as functional attempts at adaptation in a developmental psychopathological treatment model. Affected children must also be seen as unique and creative individuals.