The treatment of psychosomatic disorders by the general practitioner

Three issues relating to the treatment of psychosomatic disorders by the general practitioner are discussed: 1) the characteristics of the therapeutic relationship in general practice, with more spontaneous intimacy and greater continuity, which often enable the physician to treat psychosomatic disorders more effectively than specialists, 2) the challenging task for the general practitioner of distinguishing a psychosomatic disorder, and 3) the special treatment forms available to the general practitioner in approaching the patient with a psychosomatic disorder.