Il bambino che non funziona: cosa deve sapere e saper fare il pediatra

Epidemiological studies show that a considerable proportion of children and adolescents complains of physical symptoms associated with a great functional disability. At least a part of them fulfil the diagnostic criteria for a somatic symptom disorder. Somatic symptom disorder is a condition in which a patient’s subjective report of physical symptoms is associated with distress, disruption of day to day functioning, or disproportionate thoughts, feelings, and behaviour regarding the symptoms. The aim of this paper is to describe anamnestic and clinical features associated with the diagnosis of somatic symptom disorder and to explain the best management for affected patients and their families.