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Articles: Vikram Patel and Athula Sumathipala Psychological approaches to somatisation in developing countries Adv Psychiatr Treat 2006; 12: 54-62 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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Does Psychological Treatment Work ?

Dr A J Shishodia   (18 February 2006)

Does Psychological Treatment Work ? 18 February 2006
Dr A J Shishodia, SHO-Psychiatry DR P Tandon Send letter to journal: Re: Does Psychological Treatment Work ? ashokshishodia{at}yahoo.co.uk Dr A J Shishodia	Despite having reliable knowledge about medically unexplained disorders, the evidence base for their treatment remains poor. This paper does a wonderful job in describing psychological approaches to somatisation in developing countries, but several points warrant further consideration. 1. There are very few papers that give any form of evidence relating to psychological treatments in the developing countries. 2. There are important cultural issues attached to somatisation. Even today in developing countries people feel predjuiced about seeing a psychiatrist for any form of treatment. 3. Resources are often too scarce to think about any form of psychological approach in developing countries even if people do make it to the psychiatrist. 4. There may be evidence to show that psycholgical treatment works in the developed countries but the evidence base for this varies from being excellent to poor. 5. What works in developed countries will not necessarily work in developing countries. 6. There may be a long way to go before such treatments find strong support in the developing countries. Dr Ashok Shishodia SHO West London Mental Health Trust Dr Pooja Tandon SHO West London Mental Health Trust