Psychosomatic Medicine: An International Guide for the Primary Care Setting

Abstract

Psychosocial problems manifest primarily within medical settings and represent a major global health burden. Depression, anxiety, somatic symptom disorder, and trauma- or stress-related disorders are among the most frequent non-communicable diseases in every country. They lead to the highest number of days off work, years lost to disability, and rising healthcare costs, making them a major challenge for health systems around the world. Now in its fully revised and expanded third edition, Psychosomatic Medicine: An International Primer for the Primary Care Setting lays the foundation for genuinely biopsychosocial care. It provides practical guidance on recognizing psychosocial and psychosomatic problems, offering basic counselling and support to patients and families, and strengthening collaboration between primary care and mental health professionals. The book is structured in four comprehensive sections: it begins with the relationship between psychosomatic medicine and primary care; continues with best practices for diagnosis and communication, including breaking bad news and managing difficult patient interactions; and explores key disorders such as depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and eating and sleep-wake disorders, among others. The final section focuses on developing psychosomatic medicine in international settings, including countries such as India, Myanmar, Austria, the United States, Spain, South Africa, and China. New and unique in this edition are contributions from Ukraine, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Palestine, written by local experts. Psychosomatic Medicine: An International Primer for the Primary Care Setting, third edition, is an essential reference for doctors from various specialties as well as for nursing staff, social workers, and clinical health psychologists.