This article addresses the use of cognitive behavioral therapy (“CBT”) to treat somatoform disorders and analyzes CBT both in general and in comparison to other treatments for the same disorder. Given the rather limited analysis of this treatment area by medical and mental health professionals, and as a result of the relatively recent nature of existing analysis, various recommendations are discussed with respect to improving existing treatment methodology. The Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V), describes somatoform disorders as a group of related mental health symptoms that are characterized by the patient's presentation of multiple current somatic symptoms that are distressing or result in significant impairment of daily functioning. A somatic symptom is the presentation of a physical illness or discomfort that appears to have a medical basis but which cannot be explained either by a general medical condition, the direct effect of a substance, or any other mental health disorder . Patients suffering from somatoform disorders firmly believe that the pain they experience stems from a physical rather than mental problem; in fact, this is a fundamental aspect of the disorder. Somatoform disorders range from a simple, persistent pain disorder to hypochondriasis, which involves persistent anxiety about the existence of a serious illness, to conversion disorder, which involves the actual loss of a bodily function due to anxiety excessive for the perceived disturbance. (DSM-V, 2013) The nature of the disorder makes treatment difficult, as patients are convinced they are suffering from a real and serious medical problem. In fact, the mere half of the article showed a greater likelihood of being more effective in overall treatment of the disorder. While some other treatments have been shown to have positive results in certain circumstances, through numerous studies it has been preliminarily determined that only CBT has remained consistently effective in reducing patients' symptoms and maladaptive behaviors, and has been the only treatment option which has consistently improved operation over a long period. period of time, offering further support for CBT as an empirically supported treatment for somatoform disorders. However, further research and substantial work is needed to better understand the various forms of the disorder and how to best address and treat them individually. As research into somatoform disorders and the causes of these disorders expands, treatment will be expanded and improved.
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