Childhood trauma and somatic symptoms among psychiatric outpatients: Investigating the role of shame and guilt

Somatic symptoms are commonly reported by individuals seeking mental health care for psychological distress (Creed and Barsky, 2004). Associated with reduced quality of life (Creed et al., 2012), disability (van der Leeuw et al., 2015), and diminished outcome in psychological treatment (Huijbregts et al., 2013), somatic symptoms can mystify patients and clinicians alike with regards to the identification of contributory factors and treatment objectives (Kirmayer et al., 2004). Indeed, “medically unexplained symptoms”, representing up to one third of primary care complaints, can be persistent, impairing, and associated with high health care costs (Creed et al., 2011).

Source: Psychiatry Research - July 10, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: David Kealy, Simon M. Rice, John S. Ogrodniczuk, Alicia Spidel Source Type: research