Medically Unexplained Symptoms: A Case Series Highlighting the Role of Psychiatry in Diagnostic Clarity and Recovery

Background: Medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) are common in clinical practice, often leading to repeated investigations, escalating healthcare costs, and patient distress. Despite their high prevalence, MUS are frequently mismanaged due to delayed psychiatric involvement, resulting in fragmented care and poor outcomes. Objective: To highlight the diagnostic and therapeutic relevance of psychiatric evaluation in patients with persistent physical symptoms lacking an organic basis. Methods: This retrospective case series describes six individuals (aged 22–55) who presented with chronic, unexplained physical symptoms across various specialities in a tertiary care hospital. All underwent extensive investigations with no definitive organic diagnosis. Upon referral to psychiatry, they were assessed using ICD-10 criteria and relevant symptom severity scales. Diagnoses included somatisation disorder ( n = 4), somatoform pain disorder ( n = 1), and factitious disorder (Münchausen syndrome) ( n = 1). Interventions included SSRIs/SNRIs, psychoeducation, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), and supportive psychotherapy. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 3 months. Results: Five of six patients showed significant clinical improvement within 3 months of psychiatric intervention. Unnecessary investigations ceased, functional recovery improved, and health service use decreased. The Münchausen case demonstrated partial engagement but reduced hospital-seeking behaviour. Conclusion: Early psychiatric evaluation is pivotal in the management of MUS. Consultation-liaison psychiatry plays a crucial role in bridging the mind-body gap, reducing healthcare burden, and improving outcomes through integrated care.