ABSTRACT
Neuropsychologists frequently encounter individuals who meet criteria for a somatic symptom disorder, particularly since DSM criteria have changed substantially and are more inclusive. Neuropsychologists are not typically asked to conduct neuropsychological assessments to characterize individuals identified as having a somatoform disorder. However, the presence of medically unexplained symptoms is increasingly recognized as common and can often end up being a primary diagnosis. Indistinct cognitive complaints are common among individuals with somatoform and other psychological and medical disorders, but they have been conceived of as a proxy for distress rather than objective cognitive difficulties. Despite frequently expressed concerns about cognitive functioning in such patients, neuropsychological evaluations are most useful in identifying patterns of variable or suspect effort and symptom reporting that are associated with somatoform presentations. Elucidation of psychological and personality features is an especially important element of the neuropsychological evaluation as this information can be used to guide patients and referral sources to more productive courses of treatment.
