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Somatization and Symptoms Evaluation
Author Bios
Introduction
Defining Somatization
Currently selected section: Detecting Symptoms
Dimensions of Symptoms
Measuring Symptoms
Psychiatric Comorbidity
Interpreting Symptom Measures
Functional Syndromes and Symptoms
Etiology of Symptoms
Levels of Etiological Certainty
Strengthening Etiological Classification
Confounding Etiological Factors
Symptoms and Patient Expectations
Interpreting Patient Responses
Measuring Multiple Symptoms
Global Rating of Change
Measuring Somatization
Measuring Other Domains
Conclusions


Chapter 16: Somatization and Symptoms Evaluation: Detecting Symptoms
        

Problem 3.2

A patient that was started on an antidepressant one week ago for major depression has returned to your office for a follow-up visit. You inquire about side effects and the patient replies, "My stomach has been upset, and I've felt a little jittery." The patient also completed a self-administered questionnaire in the waiting room prior to seeing you (see Figure 3.1 below).

Figure 3.1: Self-Administered Patient Questionnaire
How much have any of the following symptoms bothered you in the past week?
Symptom Not bothered at all Bothered a little Bothered a lot
Gastrointestinal
a. Nausea
X
b. Diarrhea
X
c. Constipation
X
d. Stomach Pain/Buring
X
e.Change in Appetite
X
f. Weight Gain
X
Sleep
g. Daytime Sleepiness
X
h. Trouble Getting to Sleep
X
i. Fatigue or Lack of Energy
X
Other
j. Dizziness
X
k. Dry mouth
X
l. Blurred Vision
X
m. Headache
X
n. Difficulty in Urinating
X
o. Change in Sexual Function
X
p. Anxious, Jumpy, Shaking
X
q. Other
Enter Response

Question 3.2

The questionnaire results in Figure 3.1 confirm that the patient has had substantially more side effects than admitted on direct inquiry by the physician.
Selection ATrue
Selection BFalse

 

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