Talking about emotions may ease unexplained pain — a trial puts it to the test

This trial compares two types of first interviews for people with functional somatic disorders — conditions like irritable bowel syndrome or fibromyalgia where physical symptoms have no clear medical cause. One interview focuses on life stress and emotional factors, while the other is a standard psychiatric assessment. The goal is to see whether the emotion-focused interview increases patients' interest in psychological treatment and reduces their physical and psychiatric symptoms.