Resources for Healthcare Professionals
SSRD Resources
The Handbook of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
The two-volume Handbook of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has several chapters on SSRDs for psychotherapists, including chapters on pain, functional neurological disorder (FND), and psychogenic non-epileptic events (PNEE). This is a resource you pay for, but it may be available also through your academic institution’s library platform.
Treating Somatic Symptoms in Children and Adolescents by Nicole Zahka and Sara Williams
Comprehensive guide to treating SSRDs, featuring case studies and sample dialogues. Purchasing the book gets you access to 36 worksheets, handouts and templates that can be downloaded and printed from a companion website.
Primary Care Perspectives: Somatic Symptom and Related Disorder podcast
In this episode of a CHOP podcast geared for pediatricians, Samuel Neher, MD, pediatric hospitalist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, introduces a new clinical pathway for Somatic Symptom and Related Disorder (SSRD) that suggests a standard of care for these symptoms.
Somatic Symptom and Related Disorder course
Listen in as Katie Lockwood, MD, a primary care pediatrician at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, discusses hot topics in primary care with CHOP subject-matter-experts as they weigh in on issues affecting the daily practice of pediatricians.
Emergency Department and Inpatient Clinical Pathway for Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders
This pathway guides the diagnosis of Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders (SSRD) where the history/physical of a patient’s chief complaint does not align with known organic medical causes.
AMPS Resources
Stop Childhood Pain
A nonprofit founded by a retired CHOP pediatrician to educate children, families and healthcare providers about Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome (AMPS) and related disorders. The site provides a list of dedicated treatment programs in the U.S., as well as videos that focus on diagnosis, treatment and patient stories.
“Pain Amplification Syndromes” Chapter in Textbook of Pediatric Rheumatology
A chapter on AMPS in the Textbook of Pediatric Rheumatology by David Sherry and Jaqui Clinch. This may be available through institutional library links or through Clinical Key. (The chapter is available using PennKey at CHOP/HUP.)
The spectrum of pediatric amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome
Journal article about an AMPS study co-written by Sabrina Gmuca, MD, MSCE, medical director of the AMPS program at CHOP. The spectrum of pediatric amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome. Pediatric Rheumatology 18, 77 (2020).
Chronic Pain Resources
The Meg Foundation
This foundation educates providers about pain and pain management. The content is organized by age group and type of pain. They offer customized Provider ToolKits, digital resources and online training, as well as links to relevant research articles and team member podcasts.
CBT for Chronic Pain
This ebook is a training manual funded by Veterans Affairs to support the VA Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain program.
FND Resources
Neurosymptoms.org
A comprehensive source of information and education about Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), which offers written, video and podcast content for children, caregivers and health care providers, along with links to support groups. The site also has an app.
FND Australia
The website for this Australia-based educational organization has printable Fact Sheets that focus on education for families, the role of PT/OT in treating FND, and the role of psychology in understanding the mind-body connection.
FND Society
This is an international professional organization for providers of adults and kids with FND, which includes a pediatric consortium currently focused on US providers. The group holds a biannual conference and links to virtual sessions from prior conferences. They also offer a virtual on-demand CME course for providers, as well as general education about FND.
Pediatric Psychology FND Special Interest Group
This special interest group of the American Psychological Association focuses on education for psychologists treating FND. The group develops resources to use in individual practice and held a virtual lecture series in spring 2023.
Treating Non Epileptic Seizures: Therapist Guide (Treatments that Work)
This handbook advises clinicians for how to manage psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNEE) in adults.