Body image and self‐esteem in somatizing patients

Aim: The aim of the present study was to determine dissatisfaction with body appearance and bodily functions and to assess self‐esteem in somatizing patients. Methods: Body image and self‐esteem were investigated in 128 women; 34 of those had diagnosed somatoform disorders, 50 were breast cancer patients with total mastectomy surgery alone, and 44 were healthy subjects. Body image and self‐esteem were assessed using the Body Cathexis Scale and Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale. Results: The two clinical groups did not differ from one another (z = −1.832, P = 0.067), but differed from healthy controls in terms of body image (somatizing patients vs healthy controls, z = −3.628, P