The term somatization, which is used for situations in which physical complaints are observed but not explained by any physical disease, is encountered as a topic on the agenda of many mental health experts today.
Studies on somatization started before the 20th century, and today there are opinions on it in the literature. It continues to be a matter presented and studied.
Pains, discomforts and complaints that are not explained by physical diseases have been associated with depressive disorders by various scientific circles and especially by mental health experts, and have laid the groundwork for many studies on this relationship (Kesebir, 2004).
As for the relationship between depression and somatization, three different views have emerged as a result of the studies.
The first view is the view that evaluates somatization, that is, complaints that cannot be explained by any disease, as an equivalent of depression (Clarke). DM, 2000)
Despite the view put forward as an equivalent of depression, according to the data obtained as a result of many studies, no clear evidence has been found that the condition defined as somatization disorder or pain disorder is exactly equivalent to depression. However, towards the end of the 1970s, a second opinion was encountered based on a concept called "masked depression" by prominent authors in the literature (Köroğlu, 1998). According to this view, it is stated that the process defined as somatization is a form specific to depression and anxiety.
The concept of masked depression is mentioned in the literature as a concept expressed for the depression table that stands out with pain and certain somatic -bodily-complaints. It has found a place for itself.
Along with the second opinion in question, a third opinion also finds a place for itself in the literature. The third view expressed about depression and somatization is an opinion that refers to somatization as a symptom of depression and emphasizes that somatic symptoms should be among the indicators of depression. With this view, somatic symptoms are included among the symptoms of depression in ICD-10, known as the International Classification of Diseases. Although symptoms were included, these symptoms were later included as additional items (World Health Organization, 1992).
Somatic symptoms are included in DSM-IV, written by the American Psychiatric Association and known as the handbook of mental health professionals. It has not been included as a symptom in itself, but has found a place as additional symptoms that may be present.
In recent years, studies on depression and physical complaints have obtained positive findings regarding the somatic processes in depressive disorders (Köroğlu, 1998). ). Studies have observed that individuals with depression express more physical complaints compared to individuals without depression.
All this information once again reveals the importance of performing psychological examinations in addition to physiological examinations in case of physical complaints. The importance of evaluation by mental health specialists in cases of physical complaints and pain-related complaints that persist despite the absence of any physiological findings has been strengthened by studies.
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