Functional Symptoms and Disorders

Functional disorders, defined as disorders characterized by disabling symptoms without medical explanation, are prevalent across lifespan and in all clinical settings. Patients with functional disorders are challenged in healthcare and in society as they do not fit into the traditional body–mind dualism of biomedicine. Further, there is a lack of agreement about the conceptualization and classification of these disorders. Interpersonal influences including parent–child relations are included in the biopsychosocial framework that explains the precipitation and maintenance of functional disorders. This knowledge provides a rationale for the use of family therapy for functional disorders. However, research concerning systemic family therapy for functional disorders is scarce for children and adolescents and almost nonexistent for adults. Existing research supports the notion that working with the family system is highly relevant for patients with functional disorders.