Illness perception in patients with somatic symptom disorder: a qualitative study

Abstract

Objective To explore the perception and evaluation of patients with somatic symptom disorder about their own diseases and treatment, and to provide theoretical basis for design of illness perception questionnaire for patients with somatic symptoms disorder. Methods A semi-structured interview was conducted among 15 initial and untreated patients with somatic symptom disorder using the descriptive qualitative study. The data were sorted, encoded, classified, summarized and refined using MAXQDA10 software. Results Three main themes and six sub-themes of illness perception in patients with somatic symptom disorder were analyzed and sorted out: (1) symptom recognition: including three sub-themes, low understanding of the disease and denial of somatic symptoms as mental illness; (2)drug taking concerns: including two sub-themes worrying about side effects of drugs, drug addiction and having difficulty to stick to the long-term regular medication; (3)emotional reaction: including the obvious negative emotions of depression and helplessness sub-theme. Conclusion Patients with somatic symptom disorder have a general bias in illness perception, which has a potential adverse effect on treatment compliance. Therefore, it is necessary for clinical medical staff to early estimate patients’illness perception, and carry out mental health education and rational emotional behavior therapy. Key words: Somatic symptom disorder; Illness perception; Qualitative research; Compliance; Intervention