Child Psychology and Psychiatry

Somatization and somatoform disorders
PREVENTION
Efforts at prevention might profitably address
children of parents with somatoform disorders,
young preschool children with functional symp-
toms [9], and older children with a history of
persistent school non-attendance. Once children
are receiving treatment, addressing the man-
agement of personality features that are likely
to render them vulnerable to stress reactions
and somatization (e.g. sensitivity to criticism,
conscientiousness, proneness to anxiety, as well as
excessive academic and behavioural expectations)
may help to prevent relapse.