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Somatization and Symptoms Evaluation
Author Bios
Introduction
Defining Somatization
Detecting Symptoms
Currently selected section: 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: Dimensions of Symptoms
        

Problem 4.1

You refer the patient to a neuro-otologist who conducts vestibular testing, including electronystagmography, rotary chair testing, an audiogram, and brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAER) testing. All results are normal with the neuro-otologist concluding that there is no objective evidence of a vestibulopathy. Six months after completing chemotherapy, the patient reports residual vertigo but says her symptoms are no longer as bothersome. She completes her symptom rating scale as shown in Figure 4.1 below.

Figure 4.1: Patient Symptom Ratings After Completing 6 Courses of Chemotherapy
Six months after completing chemotherapy, describe how bad your symptoms are from 0 (none at all) to 10 (most severe possible). In this example 7 is circled.

Question 4.1

Is the patient's verbal report of her symptoms inconsistent with her rating scale results?
Selection AYes
Selection BNo

 

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