Somatization in children and adolescents

Abstract

Somatization is common in children and adolescents and refers to physical symptoms that are medically unexplained or cannot be fully explained by the underlying medical condition. Children and adolescents commonly report headache, abdominal pain, limb pain, fatigue, and reports of multiple symptoms are common. Physical symptom reporting increases across childhood into adolescence. No significant sex differences in physical symptom reporting was found during childhood, but an excess of somatic symptom reporting was recorded infernales during adolescence. Children and adolescents that present with medically unexplained physical symptoms are more likely to experience emotional and behavioral difficulties. Somatization in children and adolescents may bear a special relationship with internalizing symptoms, particularly in girls. Medically unexplained physical symptoms may represent an important aspect and commonly the first sign of emotional disorder in children and adolescents. This paper reviews latest research on somatization in children and adolescents.