DSM-III has established diagnostic criteria that separate somatization
disorder from other overlapping symptom configurations. Nevertheless,
information regarding the experience of somatization disorder is far from
complete. Terms such as "masked depression" or "alexithymia" imply that a
disturbance of affect is a central but guarded issue for at least some
somatizing patients. Through content analysis of speech, the authors
investigated the self-experience of somatization disorder in relation to
affective disorder. Rather than defended depression, a distinctive
characteristic found in the language of patients with somatization disorder
reflects a confused, negative self-identity.Abstract Teaser