Build a Research Clinic for Somatoform Patients

Patients with presentations of somatic symptoms and associated psychological features are named as "somatoform disorders" in psychiatric field. Because the patients' concerns are somatic distress, they often seek help in non-psychiatric clinics. However, the symptoms are usually medically unexplained. This group of diagnoses can be managed from the psychiatric perspective, including medications and psychotherapies. However, many patients do not receive psychiatric management in current medical practice. The goal of this project is to establish an association named "psychosomatic center" for providing comprehensive evaluations and treatments to the somatoform patients. Besides the psychiatrist, a case manager, a clinical psychologist, and a research assistant will be included in this association for the purposes of connection, performing psychotherapy and examinations. After entering the psychosomatic clinic, the investigators will routinely perform diagnostic interview, measure psychological and physiological features, and arrange individualized treatment program. The investigators will follow the important psychological and biological indexes every 3-6 months for building a cohort. At the same time, the case manager will connect with non-psychiatric clinics for ensuring the patients physical problems to be managed. The investigators expect this project to enhance the quality of treatment on the patients, to reduce the excessive examinations for the frequent attenders, and to improve the emotional burden of medical staffs.