Pattern of somatization in depression

A study has been done to find out the relative frequency of somatic symptoms in depressive illness. 50 cases were studied from April 1993 to October 1993, which consisted of 38 male and 12 female patients. 80% of the patients in this study were between the ages of 25-50 years. 96% of the patient belonged to social class III, IV and V. 76% of the recorded cases were having educational standard of below matriculation. Twelve most common somatic symptoms complained by the patients in this study were insomnia, loss of appetite, fatigability, physical weakness, flatulence, pressure over head, giddiness, palpitations, dryness of mouth, pain neck, consitpation and burning sensations in feet. Contribution of cultural factors in somatization of depression in our country is discussed