From Traumatic Attachment to Somatization Disorder

Abstract

Objective: This paper emphasizes attachment trauma as an important etiological factor in somatization disorder and psychoanalytic psychotherapy as an effective treatment. Method: Weekly psychotherapy with an 18 year old with somatization disorder, using the Conversational Model, is described. Conclusion: Early cumulative trauma has far-reaching health consequences. Brief psychotherapy produces symptom relief, and long-term analytic therapy is necessary for sustained improvement.