The Concept of Somatisation A Cross-cultural perspective
Journal Title: Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal - Year 2010, Vol 10, Issue 2
Abstract
Somatisation is generally defned as the tendency to experience psychological distress in the form of somatic symptoms and to seek medical help for these symptoms, which may be initiated and/or perpetuated by emotional responses such as anxiety and depression. Somatisation has been recognised as a commonly encountered problem, especially in primary health care, contributing to frequent use of medical services and to frustration in both the patient and the doctor. In recent years, there has been a great deal of dissatisfaction with the terminology and classifcation of somatisation, and the way this defnition is applied to non-Western cultures. Tis dilemma pertains to different aspects of the defnitions, mainly their usefulness, adequacy and applicability. Tis article aims to review the literature on the development of the concept of somatisation and how this defnition is applied from a cross-cultural aspect.
Authors and Affiliations
Zakiya Q Al Busaidi| Department of Family Medicine & Public Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman
Keywords
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