The role of emotion in psychotherapeutic change for medically unexplained symptoms

Evidence of the contribution of emotional processes to the emergence, maintenance, and experience of medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) suggests that clinical approaches which target these processes could be beneficial. In this study, qualitative methods were used to examine patients’ perspectives and subjective experiences of emotional processes in the context of a psychotherapy assessment and treatment service for MUS provided in a hospital emergency department (ED). Methods: Seven semi-structured interviews were conducted with ED patients presenting with MUS who received a course of intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy treatment. Results: Interpretative phenomenological analysis was employed with three superordinate themes emerging: Barriers to examining emotional processes; reflections on the therapeutic process; psychological change; and improved well-being. Obstacles to clinical engagement in treatment for MUS were described in relation to patients’ and therapists’ ability to identify, address, and utilize emotion processes. Specific elements of this work were identified as integral components of the psychotherapy change process for MUS. Conclusions: Directly observing the physical effects of emotional experiencing in MUS provides sensory evidence that can enable patients to make mind–body connections. Psycho-emotional processes warrant further study to explore the applicability to other conceptual models for assessing and treating MUS.