Somatic Symptom Disorder Management

Assessment and Diagnosis

• Important considerations:
  • Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) is characterized by excessive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to physical symptoms.
  • Assessment should focus on the patient's emotional and psychological response to symptoms rather than the symptoms themselves.
• Assessment tools:
  • Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-15)
  • Somatic Symptom Scale (SSS-8)
  • Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)
• Diagnostic criteria:
  • One or more somatic symptoms causing distress or impairment
  • Excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to symptoms
  • Symptoms lasting at least 6 months

Medication Management

• Pharmacological interventions:
  • Antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs, SNRIs) to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression
  • Anti-anxiety medications (e.g., benzodiazepines) for short-term management of anxiety
• Important considerations:
  • Patient education on medication use and potential side effects
  • Monitoring for medication adherence and potential interactions

Therapeutic Relationships

• Establishing a therapeutic relationship:
  • Empathy and validation of patient's experiences
  • Active listening and open communication
  • Building trust and rapport
• Key therapeutic strategies:
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to address negative thought patterns and behaviors
  • Problem-focused coping to enhance coping skills

Crisis Intervention

• Identifying crisis situations:
  • Suicidal ideation or behavior
  • Panic attacks or severe anxiety
  • Deterioration of physical symptoms
• Crisis intervention strategies:
  • De-escalation techniques to reduce anxiety and distress
  • Brief solution-focused therapy to address immediate concerns
  • Referral to emergency services or crisis hotlines as needed