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Assessment of somatoform disorders: a review of strategies and instruments

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2014

Wolfgang Hiller  and
Aleksandar Janca
Wolfgang Hiller*
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Mainz, Germany
Aleksandar Janca
Affiliation:
School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, University of Western Australia Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia
*
Dr Wolfgang Hiller, University of Mainz, Department of Clinical Psychology, Staudingerweg 9, D-55099 Mainz, Germany. Tel. +49 61313922344; Fax: +49 61313924623; E-mail: hiller@mail.uni-mainz.de
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Abstract

We provide an overview of methods and instruments developed for the assessment of somatoform disorders. Four diagnostic purposes have been identified: (i) classification according to a diagnostic system; (ii) screening for probable cases; (iii) dimensional measurement of syndrome severity; and (iv) assessment of associated clinical features. Existing instruments designed for each of these strategies are described, including specifications of their psychometric properties, particular features, advantages and disadvantages. A conclusion of this review is that the currently existing ‘family of assessment instruments’ in the field of somatoform disorders should be used to improve the comparability of scientific findings in different cultures and settings.

Keywords

assessmentinstrumentsdiagnostic methodsclassificationsomatoform disordershypochondriasis
Type
Review Article
Information
Acta Neuropsychiatrica , Volume 15 , Issue 4 , August 2003 , pp. 167 - 179
Copyright
Copyright © 2003 Blackwell Munksgaard

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