Treating patients with emotional and physical symptoms.

Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) often experience physical pain in addition to depression. Data have shown that as many as 65% of patients with MDD report physical pain. This case vignette presents Ms. S, a 54-year-old nurse with multiple emotional and somatic symptoms, and provides strategies for differentiating and treating the primary and secondary symptoms. For optimal outcomes, emotional and physical symptoms should be treated simultaneously. In addition, a thorough diagnostic process and effective pharmacotherapy are essential to achieving the goal of remission. Copyright 2009 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.