PSYCHIATRIC-ILLNESS IN PATIENTS WITH PERSISTENT SOMATIZATION

Background. This study explores the incidence and nature of mental ill ness among persistent somatisers, and analyses their use of mental hea lth services. Method. Individuals with at least ten admissions to non- psychiatric departments during an 8-year period were studied. Persiste nt somatisers (n = 56) were compared with other frequent users (n = 57 ) of non-psychiatric services. Results. Of the persistent somatisers, 82% had been examined by a psychiatrist at least once (median, 3 times ). Sixteen per cent were mentally retarded, 48% were dependent on alco hol or drugs, and 48% had DSM-III-R personality disorder. The most pre valent ICD-10 diagnoses were anxiety states (54%), depressions (30%), phobias (18%) and psychoses (20%). Conclusions. Persistent somatisatio n is associated with severe mental illness and a broad spectrum of het erogeneous psychiatric diagnoses and syndromes. Persistent somatisers impose a serious burden on the mental health care system.