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01-02-2017 | Complex Medical-Psychiatric Issues (MB Riba, Section Editor)

Pediatric Somatic Symptom Disorders

Authors: Nasuh Malas, Roberto Ortiz-Aguayo, Lisa Giles, Patricia Ibeziako

Published in: Current Psychiatry Reports | Issue 2/2017

Abstract

Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) is a common disorder encountered in pediatric medicine. It involves the presentation of physical symptoms that are either disproportionate or inconsistent with history, physical examination, laboratory, and other investigative findings. SSDs result in significant impairment with considerable increase in healthcare utilization, school absenteeism, and the potential for unnecessary diagnostic evaluation and treatment intervention. Patients and families often feel dismissed and may worry that a serious condition has been missed. Primary care providers are frequently frustrated due to a lack of a successful approach to patients and families impacted by SSD. The result is often a cycle of disability, frustration and missed opportunities for collaboration towards enhanced patient functionality. This review summarizes the current evidence-based understanding, as well as insights from clinician experience, on the evaluation and management of pediatric SSD.

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Title: Pediatric Somatic Symptom Disorders
Authors: Nasuh Malas
Roberto Ortiz-Aguayo
Lisa Giles
Patricia Ibeziako
Publication date: 01-02-2017
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Current Psychiatry Reports / Issue 2/2017
Print ISSN: 1523-3812
Electronic ISSN: 1535-1645
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-017-0760-3

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Pediatric Somatic Symptom Disorders

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