Functional Somatic Syndromes and Somatoform Disorders in Special Psychosomatic Units: Organizational Aspects and Evidence-Based Treatment

Similar treatment strategies have proven effective in various functional somatic syndromes such as fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Increasing evidence supports common etiologic factors, pathophysiologic mechanisms, and psychological features. A minority of these patients receive evidence-based treatment, mainly due to inappropriate organization of care. The authors argue for the necessity of specialized multidisciplinary psychosomatic services for bodily distress, which includes a broad range of functional somatic syndromes and somatoform disorders. The goal is for patients with bodily distress to be offered the same quality of health care as any other patient.