SOMATIC DISTRESS - DEVELOPING MORE INTEGRATED CONCEPTS

Epidemiological, longitudinal and treatment studies have emphasized th e significance of the common somatic presentations of distress (e. g. chronic fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, gastrointestinal symptoms). Aet iological models for these syndromes now emphasize unique genetic, cog nitive and neurobiological factors. Treatment paradigms emphasize the central role of cognitive-behavioural approaches but their implementat ion, particularly in primary care, remains problematic. (C) 1998 Rapid Science Ltd.