Book contents
- Seminars in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- College Seminars Series
- Seminars in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Contributors
- Abbreviations
- Chapter 1 Children’s Mental Health Services in Context
- Chapter 2 Normal Childhood Development: Theories and Influence
- Chapter 3 Risk Factors for Childhood Psychopathology
- Chapter 4 Infant Mental Health
- Chapter 5 Classification and Epidemiology
- Chapter 6 Law in Relation to Children and Young People
- Chapter 7 What Does a Good Assessment in Children and Adolescents Look Like?
- Chapter 8 Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Children and Young People
- Chapter 9 Intellectual Disabilities in Children and Young People
- Chapter 10 Antisocial Behaviours in Young People
- Chapter 11 Attachment, Anxiety Disorders and Experience of Trauma in Children and Adolescents
- Chapter 12 Self-Harm and Suicide in Young People
- Chapter 13 Mood Disorders in Young People
- Chapter 14 Psychosis in Children and Adolescents
- Chapter 15 Substance Misuse in Young People
- Chapter 16 Evolving Perspectives on Eating Disorders: From Diagnosis to Digital Therapies
- Chapter 17 Benefits and Risks of the Digital World
- Chapter 18 Bodily Distress Disorder and Dissociative Disorders
- Chapter 19 Psychosocial Approaches in CAMHS
- Chapter 20 Gender Diversity and Mental Health in Young People
- Chapter 21 Mental Health Prevention in Services for Children
- Chapter 22 Moving from Models of Liaison Psychiatry to Psychological Medicine: New Approaches
- Chapter 23 Forensic Mental Health Services for Young People
- Index
- References
Chapter 18 - Bodily Distress Disorder and Dissociative Disorders
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 October 2025
Edited by
Book contents
- Seminars in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- College Seminars Series
- Seminars in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Contributors
- Abbreviations
- Chapter 1 Children’s Mental Health Services in Context
- Chapter 2 Normal Childhood Development: Theories and Influence
- Chapter 3 Risk Factors for Childhood Psychopathology
- Chapter 4 Infant Mental Health
- Chapter 5 Classification and Epidemiology
- Chapter 6 Law in Relation to Children and Young People
- Chapter 7 What Does a Good Assessment in Children and Adolescents Look Like?
- Chapter 8 Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Children and Young People
- Chapter 9 Intellectual Disabilities in Children and Young People
- Chapter 10 Antisocial Behaviours in Young People
- Chapter 11 Attachment, Anxiety Disorders and Experience of Trauma in Children and Adolescents
- Chapter 12 Self-Harm and Suicide in Young People
- Chapter 13 Mood Disorders in Young People
- Chapter 14 Psychosis in Children and Adolescents
- Chapter 15 Substance Misuse in Young People
- Chapter 16 Evolving Perspectives on Eating Disorders: From Diagnosis to Digital Therapies
- Chapter 17 Benefits and Risks of the Digital World
- Chapter 18 Bodily Distress Disorder and Dissociative Disorders
- Chapter 19 Psychosocial Approaches in CAMHS
- Chapter 20 Gender Diversity and Mental Health in Young People
- Chapter 21 Mental Health Prevention in Services for Children
- Chapter 22 Moving from Models of Liaison Psychiatry to Psychological Medicine: New Approaches
- Chapter 23 Forensic Mental Health Services for Young People
- Index
- References
Summary
Bodily Distress Disorder and Dissociative Disorders are disorders frequently encountered across paediatric specialties. These disorders place high psychosocial, educational and financial strains on children and their families as well as a substantial burden on the health care system with a potential risk for iatrogenic harm to the child due to unnecessary diagnostic evaluations and fruitless treatment attempts leading to increased costs. Predisposing factors include neurodevelopmental disorders and often co-morbidities such as anxiety and depression exist. The current best evidence-based treatment is psychological interventions that involve active participation from both the child and the parents. As early diagnostics and relevant intervention may improve prognosis and potentially decrease the risk of continued persistent and disabling somatic and co-occurring psychiatric symptoms later in life, it is important to address these disorders in young people. Due to the particular characteristics of somatic complaints combined with a high risk of psychiatric co-morbidities and specialised psychological interventions as best evidence-based practice, the diagnostics and treatment should optimally take place in close collaboration between the paediatric/medical setting and child and adolescent psychiatry.
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- Seminars in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry , pp. 278 - 295Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2025
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