[Psychosomatic disorders considered from an internist viewpoint. II. Problems of drug therapy]

Following a previous communication concerning some of the principal diagnostic and differential diagnostic questions regarding psychosomatic pathology, with the present note the authors wish to review the most common therapeutic problems related to these disorders. The text has been subdivided into two parts. In the first part it has been adjusted the approach to the pharmacological treatment of these disorders, following principally the authors' experience, and, in the second, have been analyzed some of the most common prejudices that have taken shape around this therapeutic praxis and that have contributed so much to handicap the diffusion of antidepressants in general practice. The authors conclude providing some clues both to those who, encouraged by the reading of this paper, should feel persuaded to deal with psychosomatic disorders from the general practitioners' point of view and to those who, for any reason, should not feel to tackle this task.