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A Study of Somatic Complaints and Psychiatric Diagnosis in Children

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Abstract

Ninety-five psychiatrically hospitalized children participated in a structured psychiatric interview that included a review of medically unexplained physical symptoms. Children with Somatization Disorder, psychosis, and separation anxiety disorders had the largest number of somatic complaints. Both abdominal pain and palpitations were significantly associated with Separation Anxiety Disorder and psychosis. Abdominal pain was also reported by children diagnosed with Major Depression. Some individual symptoms, particularly pseudo-neurological symptoms, were more frequently reported by children who also reported psychotic symptoms. Future research needs are discussed. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 1988, 27, 2:185–187.

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This work was supported in part by USPHS Grant MH 18699.

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