TREATMENT OF "FUNCTIONAL" DISORDERS
- 25 July 1953
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Medical Association (AMA) in JAMA
- Vol. 152 (13) , 1192-1197
- https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1953.03690130008002
Abstract
There are more hopeful avenues of approach to the management of "functional" disorders than is the case with most "organic" diseases. Indeed, an optimistic attitude toward the management of patients with these conditions is desirable and justified. In this communication a practical method of treatment is described for this group of patients, who constitute so important a part of the practice of many physicians. Emphasis is placed on (1) the therapeutic implications of the actual diagnostic procedures previously described,1 (2) a successful explanation to the patient of the "functional" nature of his symptoms, and (3) the "definitive" or "specific" management of the precipitating conflict situation, the patient's attitude toward it, somatic symptoms, and the environmental situation. A physician may be able to diminish distressing symptoms immediately, if only temporarily, by use of drugs or other therapy for somatic effect; or he may modify the patient's environmental situation in suchKeywords
This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit:
- EFFECTS OF SUGGESTION AND CONDITIONING ON THE ACTION OF CHEMICAL AGENTS IN HUMAN SUBJECTS—THE PHARMACOLOGY OF PLACEBOS 12Journal of Clinical Investigation, 1950