ABSTRACT
This chapter presents ten pearls of wisdom for general practitioners (GPs) for better care of patients with functional symptoms and for more efficient use of resources. These pearls have been acquired from years of experience and evidence-based study by specialists in the field. Although the problem is more common in younger women, men and older people are not immune to functional symptoms. Despite the ubiquity of functional symptoms, secondary care doctors are often reluctant to make the diagnosis, preferring either vague labels or erroneous disease-based diagnoses. The chapter also presents advice on diagnoses often overlooked by GPs while handling patients with functional symptoms. Diagnoses of the following diseases/disorders are recommended: dissociative attacks, chronic fatigue syndrome, pain syndromes, and persistent postural perceptual dizziness (PPPD). The chapter then provides guidance on how to distinguish tricky differentials and finally a few tips on prescribing medications for these patients.
