ABSTRACT
Background: Functional somatic symtpoms are common in patients with major depressive disorder. The aim of the research was to study the prevalence and typology of Functional Somatic Symptoms (FSS) in patients with depression. Methodology: A total of 50 patients participated in the study. They were assessed on Bradford Somatic Symptom inventory for Functional Somatic Symptoms (FSS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) for severity of depression, and Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale? anxiety index (CPRS?AI) for anxiety symptoms. Results: The mean age of the study sample was 41.36 years (SD?12.79). Gender distribution was gender distribution (male ? 60% vs. females 40%). Majority of the symptoms were found in married (84%), Hindus (92%), and from nuclear family (58%). A more than half of the patients were from urban background (76%). The mean duration of illness at the time of assessment was 36 months. As per BDI severity score 36% have mild, 38% have moderate and 26% have severe depression. Total mean CPRS-AI is (8.78±4.46).The more common FSS as assessed on Bradford Somatic Inventory were severe headache (88%), feeling tired when not working (86%), lack of energy (weakness) much of the time (84%), pain in legs (82%), aches and pains all over the body (72%), mouth or throat getting dry (72%), head feeling heavy (70%), head feeling hot or burning (68%), pain or tension in neck and shoulder (66%), low back trouble (66%) and sweating a lot (64%). The prevalence and typology of FSS was to a certain extent influenced by the sociodemographic variables and severity of depression. Conclusion: Functional somatic symptoms are highly prevalent in depressed patients and hence deserve more attention while diagnosing depression