Table-I Differential Diagnosis in the Somatizing Patient

Psychophysiologic Symptoms


Psychological factors affecting physical illness

Nonpathologic, transient psychogenic somatic symptoms (all are acute but may become chronic)

Grief /bereavement, with physical symptoms

Fear, with physical symptoms

Exaggeration or elaboration of physical symptoms (e.g. postaccident when litigation or compensation is involved)

Sleep deprivation, with physical symptoms

Sensory overload or deprivation, with physical symptoms