Medical unexplained physical symptoms

Abstract

MUPS and associated somatoform disorders remain an enormous problem in terms of prevalence, personal suffering and disability, and costs to society. Challenging problems in nosology, etiological understanding, and treatment effectiveness are ideally suited for integrative psychiatric and psychological investigation. Fortunately, advances in diagnosis and management have attracted significant attention and are being actively pursued. In the culture of the modern era, characterized by increasing social, political, and economic pressures to label syndromes with or without scientific support, to promote quick and profitable remedies, and to control costs all at the same time, the need for better understanding of MUPS has never been more compelling.