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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Why DSM-III was right to introduce the concept of somatoform disorders.

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From the Psychological Institute, University of Mainz; and the Psychological Institute, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Hiller, Psychological Institute, University of Mainz, Staudingerweg 9, D-55099 Mainz, Germany; hiller@mail.uni-mainz.de (e-mail). Copyright 2005 The Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine. An interesting debate about the adequacy of the somatoform disorders as a diagnostic and clinical concept has begun. The debate is stimulated by the announcement of APA’s preparation of DSM-V, which is likely to follow DSM-IV as the world’s most influential classification system for defining the terminology and diagnostic definitions of mental disorders. Because unexplained physical symptoms are extremely frequent and are associated with enormous economic burdens, adequate recognition, classification, and treatment are crucial. Different viewpoints for their classification may arise from different scientific positions but also from particular national, cultural, and professional traditions. In a recent editorial in Psychosomatics by Mayou et al., the specific viewpoint of British consultation-liaison psychiatrists was expressed. The expertise of consultationliaison psychiatrists in this field is plausible since the work of these colleagues provides the link between medicine and mental health, either for patients who are both medically and mentally ill or for those whose somatic symptoms are not attributable to a known medical disease. Mayou et al. make no secret of their disagreement with the current overall concept of somatoform disorders. Among others, their criticisms are with the following points: