 This study found that psychiatric disorders are more common in people with functional somatic syndromes compared to those with general medical illnesses. The study also found that the same risk factors are associated with both types of disorders such as stressful life events, chronic personal health difficulties, neuroticism, poor perception of general health, impairment of function due to physical illness, and lifetime history of psychiatric disorder. Additionally, the study found that psychiatric disorders are present prior to the onset of either type of disorder. This article was authored by Francis Creed.