Peer Reviewed
Psychological medicine
Dealing with somatic presentations of mental health problems
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Mental health
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Abstract
Of all mental health problems encountered by GPs, over half will present with somatic symptoms alone, while only 20% will present with psychological symptoms (even fewer in some cultural groups)
Key Points
- In a large proportion of presentations to general practitioners no physical cause is found, and mental health problems are prevalent among them.
- Common somatic presentations of mental health issues include tiredness, lethargy, vague chest or abdominal aches and pains, headaches, dizziness and tension.
- Physical and psychological problems may coexist or be causally linked, so avoid conveying a mind–body dichotomy to patients.
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