Somatization disorder from a cognitive-psychobiological perspective

Abstract

This overview describes somatization disorder from a cognitive-psychobiological perspective. For each step of this model, recently published empirical evidence is cited. Elements such as focused attention, catastrophizing cognitions, emotional dysregulation, psychophysiological over-arousal and avoidance behaviour are contained in this model. The empirical approach not only clarifies some underlying processes, but is also of help for future development of the classification of unexplained physical symptoms.