Functional somatic disorders: discussion paper for a new common classification for research and clinical use

Background Functional somatic symptoms and disorders are common and complex phenomena involving both bodily and brain processes. They pose major challenges across medical specialties. These disorders are common and have significant impacts on patients’ quality of life and healthcare costs. Main body We outline five problems pointing to the need for a new classification: (1) developments in understanding aetiological mechanisms; (2) the current...