OBJECTIVE Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), one of the most abundant and important neurotrophins, is known to be involved in the development, survival, maintenance, and plasticity of neurons in the nervous system. Some studies have suggested that BDNF may play a role in the pathophysiology of several psychiatric illnesses such as depression and schizophrenia. Similarly, it is likely tha...

There is no doubt that chronic pain is recognized as a biopsychosocial phenomenon in which biological, psychological, and social factors dynamically interact with each other. Thus, the role of psychological factors and understanding chronic, persistent disabling pain has been well recognized, but poorly understood. Approximately 1/2 to 2/3 of all patients diagnosed with chronic pain manifest to...

I n this month's In Review section, all the contributors—Dr François Mai (1), Dr Laurence Kirmayer and colleagues (2), and I—wrestle with the seemingly intractable and endlessly interesting topic of body–mind relations. In the first review article, Dr Mai lays out the justification for a diagnostic category of somatization disorder. He recognizes that the standard monistic approach that accepts...

BACKGROUND Somatization is produced due to the summation of psychological factors, irrespective of the presence or absence of physical factors. A group of diseases with severe pain and other disorders exhibit so-called Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS), and the characteristics of patients with MUS are largely unexplained. In this paper, the characteristics of a series of new patients with so...

OBJECTIVE To review the evidence from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that have focused on the treatment of patients with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4(th) Edition (DSM-IV) somatoform disorders. Although somatoform disorders are among the most common mental disorders presenting in the general medical setting, the strength of evidence for specific treatments has not ...

OBJECTIVE This study sought to examine the relationship between pseudoneurological symptoms (PNS) and somatic and psychiatric symptom severity, physical functioning, and psychiatric comorbidity. METHODS Interview and questionnaire data were obtained from 120 patients with somatization who participated in a study assessing the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Measures elicited informa...

Purpose Syncope is a common condition affecting almost one-third of the general population. The present study measures the prevalence of psychiatric traits in patients presenting with syncope (unexplained and vasovagal) and whether recurrent attacks have an impact on psychiatric profiles. Patients and methods This is a case-control study in a tertiary hospital enrolling all patients aged ≥12 ...

BACKGROUND Unexplained somatic symptoms are common among trauma survivors. The relationship between trauma and somatization appears to be mediated by posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, only few studies have focused on what other psychological risk factors may predispose a trauma victim towards developing somatoform symptoms. METHODS The present paper examines the predictive value ...

AIM This study was concerned with correlates of suicidal ideation among patients with chronic complex dissociative disorders. METHOD Participants were 40 patients diagnosed as having either dissociative identity disorder or dissociative disorder not otherwise specified according to the DSM-IV. The Dissociative Disorders Interview Schedule, the Dissociative Experiences Scale, the Somatoform Di...