CBT May Offer Relief from Somatization Disorder

Previously, patients diagnosed with somatization disorder (SD) have not significantly benefited from either psychotherapeutic or pharmacologic treatments. A recent study suggests CBT may offer some relief. 84 patients diagnosed with SD were randomized to two groups, one of which received standard medical treatment coupled with psychiatric consultation, and one of which attended 10 individually managed CBT sessions along with psychiatric consultation intervention. Evaluations were conducted at baseline and 3, 9, and 15 months. After 15 months, symptoms were significantly improved in the group treated with CBT compared with the group receiving only standard medical care and psychiatric consultation. This study was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/166/14/1512