Somatising in children and adolescents. 2. Management and outcomes

The decision about the appropriate clinician to manage a somatising disorder should depend on who has the skills to maximise the chances of recovery to normal child or adolescent functioning. This depends on the severity of the presentation, its impact on the child’s functioning and how long symptoms have lasted. Essentially, in the management of any conditions that are severe, handicapping, slow to recovery or where there are significant levels of psychiatric symptoms, child mental health expertise will help to attain appropriate goals, often using the skills of several different professionals.