COMMON WHIPLASH - PSYCHOSOMATIC OR SOMATOPSYCHIC

One hundred and seventeen randomly selected patients were assessed for different psychological variables (personality traits, wellbeing, and cognitive ability) in relation to somatic symptoms after common whipl ash. Patients were investigated at an average of 7.4 (SD 4.2) days aft er trauma and again at three and six months. The course of recovery co uld not be explained by the patients' disposition. The results indicat ed that improvement in wellbeing was associated with recovery from som atic symptoms. There was, however, cognitive impairment in patients wh o suffered from symptoms. These findings support the view that the psy chological and cognitive problems of patients with common whiplash are mainly related to somatic symptoms.