Somatoform disorders
Somatoform disorders occur where symptoms suggest a medical condition however no specific condition can be identified. A person may report significant pain or constant aches and pains without a known medical or biological cause. Physical examination may also demonstrate multiple operations in unsuccessful attempts to diagnose or relieve symptoms.
Alcohol or other drug dependency is common in people with somatoform disorders, as a means of attempting to treat their somatic pain.
Statistics
Neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders resulted in 49 975 hospitalisations in Australia during 2003 to 2004 (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2006).
Workplace solutions and adjustments
There are solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements:
References
AllPsych 2004, Somatoform Disorders, AllPsych and Heffner Media Group Inc., Florida, viewed 18 February 2007, <http://allpsych.com/disorders/somatoform/index.html>.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2006, Australia's Health 2006, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Canberra, viewed 2 May 2007, <http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/aus/ah06/ah06-c05.pdf>.
Yates, W. R. 2005, Somatoform Disorders, WebMD Inc.,USA, viewed 16 February 2007, <http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic3527.htm>.
Links to specific types of somatoform disorders