[Chronic pain syndromes and other persistent functional somatic symptoms].

Somatic symptoms including pain are everyday human experiences. They usually result from a complex interaction of stimuli, interpretation and reaction, and are not necessarily proportional to structural damage. Persistent functional somatic symptoms can be associated with a significant impairment of quality of life and functioning, even without mental or somatic comorbidity. Dysfunctional experiences, expectancies and behavior, not only by patients but also by physicians, can increase the risk of chronification. From the outset, management should be graded with respect to the severity and biopsychosocial aspects, with thorough but cautious diagnostics and with psychoeducative, active and coping-oriented treatment.