{"id":4068,"date":"2025-02-24T12:37:32","date_gmt":"2025-02-24T06:37:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.kaznmu.edu.kz\/eng\/?p=4068"},"modified":"2025-02-24T12:37:32","modified_gmt":"2025-02-24T06:37:32","slug":"somatoform-disorders-modern-approaches-to-diagnosis-and-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.kaznmu.edu.kz\/eng\/somatoform-disorders-modern-approaches-to-diagnosis-and-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Somatoform Disorders: Modern Approaches to Diagnosis and Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"

On February 20, 2025, in Almaty, a multidisciplinary expert working meeting was held with the participation of neurologists, psychiatrists, cardiologists, and general practitioners on the topic \u201cSomatoform Disorders: Modern Approaches to Diagnosis and Treatment.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

The main goal of the expert working meeting was to discuss and analyze the diverse clinical manifestations, diagnostic challenges, and treatment approaches for somatoform disorders based on real clinical cases from both hospital and outpatient practice. The meeting aimed to develop interdisciplinary solutions for patient management and prepare expert recommendations for physicians on implementing evidence-based diagnostic and treatment methods.<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Somatoform disorders are a group of conditions characterized by symptoms of somatic diseases for which no objective organic cause can be identified. People suffering from somatoform disorders tend to report physical ailments and persistently demand medical examinations. They often independently study diseases that have symptoms similar to their own, research sources on the internet, use mass media, and tend to distrust doctors.<\/p>\n

Due to their persistent concern and fear of having a progressive illness, most patients have a long history of consultations with various medical specialists, including general practitioners, internists, cardiologists, gastroenterologists, neurologists, etc. However, they are often reluctant to seek help from psychiatrists due to existing stigmas and prejudices. As a result, they undergo multiple examinations that fail to identify a sufficient cause for their symptoms. Despite repeated negative test results and reassurances from doctors that the symptoms are not of physiological origin, affected individuals continue to seek medical consultations. Even normal bodily sensations may be perceived as abnormal and distressing, with patients focusing intensely on monitoring their own bodily functions. Consequently, somatoform disorders are often accompanied by anxiety and symptoms of depression. However, patients rarely report mood disturbances, deny anxious concerns, and may struggle to describe their emotional states.<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Diagnosing somatoform disorders is highly challenging. Some patients refuse psychotherapeutic assistance, even when recommended by other physicians. In such cases, a significant amount of time may pass before the patient eventually consults a psychotherapist, often with great skepticism.<\/p>\n

The moderators of the expert working meeting were prominent figures in psychiatry and neurology:<\/p>\n