Somatoform disorders and depression: comorbidity and problems of management

ABSTRACT

Somatoform disorders are characterized by the presence of physical symptoms without organic lesion or pathophysiological mechanism. The use of antidepressants is quite common, even in the absence of associated depressive disorder. We will assess the prevalence of depression in a population of patients with somatoform disorders, and discuss the difficulties of management of these disorders. This is an observational cross-sectional study, about 152 patients. Diagnoses were made according to the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in its fourth revised version. Data evaluation was performed using statistical software. This population is represented mostly by women [116[76.3%]], with low socioeconomic status [114[75%]] above 40 years age [43.5 +/- 14.6]. Prevalence of depression is 34%, with a predominance for somatization disorder [47.9%]. Comorbidity of these two disorders is common. The difficulties encountered in the management of these patients are especially of sociocultural nature, necessitating the adoption of appropriate psychotherapeutic measures. Clinicians should redouble their efforts to adapt the management of these disorders in our context