Somatoform disorders (medically unexplained symptoms)

Bodily symptoms (pain, discomfort, autonomic complaints) without an organic cause, linked to psychological factors. Psychotherapy is first-line.

ICD-10 F451 drug

Also known as: medically unexplained symptoms, somatization

Drugs used for this condition

CHypericum perforatumCase-by-case decision · Antidepressants. Other antidepressants of herbal originFor somatoform disorders – bodily symptoms without a clear organic cause – St. John's wort has a limited but real evidence base: two randomized trials of the LI 160 extract showed benefit over placebo on physical complaints. The evidence is small and unconfirmed by large studies, so the assessment stays cautious. The decision is individual and must account for the herb speeding up the breakdown of many medicines and weakening them.

How to read tiers A–F

Evidence tiers belong to the drug-indication pair, not to the drug as a whole: the same substance can be A for one condition and F for another.

AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
BRecommended in selected cases
CStudy data contradict each other
DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit