Somatization is a significant problem for clinical medicine. Unlike somatiz
ation disorder which is relatively rare, abridged somatization, a less seve
re form of somatization, is prevalent in primary care clinics. The authors
examined the clinical status and functioning of patients diagnosed with a d
epression or anxiety disorder comorbid with abridged somatization and compa
red them with patients diagnosed with a depression or anxiety disorder alon
e. The authors examined severity of physical functioning and psychopatholog
y in relation to diagnostic status. Patients diagnosed with both abridged s
omatization and a depression or anxiety disorder were more physically impai
red and more anxious than those diagnosed with a depression or anxiety diso
rder alone. The results suggest that abridged somatization frequently coexi
sts with depression and anxiety and thus complicates the presentation of th
ese disorders.