Somatoform disorders in DSM-IV: mental or physical disorders?

OBJECTIVE To examine analytically the question of whether the characterization of somatoform disorders (SFDs) in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) provides adequate grounds for classifying them as mental disorders rather than as physical disorders. METHODS Analytical examination. RESULTS There are prima facie grounds for classifying SFDs as physical disorders since they are characterized by physical symptoms. The characterization of SFDs in DSM-IV does not provide adequate grounds for classifying them as mental disorders. CONCLUSION The spectrum of SFDs is drawn too widely in DSM-IV. At least some of the conditions now listed as SFDs in DSM-IV should be either given a dual diagnosis or classified simply as physical disorders.