Functional neurological and somatic symptom disorders

An integrative, multidisciplinary approach is necessary for all patients. Regular brief visits with primary care physicians (for somatic symptom disorder) and neurologists (for functional neurological disorder) should be scheduled to assess progress, maintain therapeutic relationships, avoid abandonment, and prevent excessive tests or procedures. It is important to maintain a supportive and therapeutic stance, as well as to monitor for suicidal ideation in response to the persisting symptoms for which there is no medical diagnosis or in response to the new diagnosis.