Cheatsheet
Biopsychosocial Case Formulation for Physical Symptoms
A structured way to separate known medical information, psychological processes, behavior, relationships, and practical conditions without searching for one guilty emotion.
Criteria, checks, and next step
01
Known facts
Separate evidence from assumptions.
- What has been assessed, diagnosed, or ruled out?
- Which treatments and recommendations are currently active?
02
Current pattern
Describe the symptom and its context.
- When does the symptom appear, change, or ease?
- What sleep, activity, medication, or environmental variables may matter?
03
Psychological and social load
Explore without assigning blame.
- What emotions, expectations, or relationships add strain?
- Which practical conditions reduce recovery or access to support?
04
Working plan
Turn the formulation into coordinated action.
- What medical question remains open?
- What is one psychological and one daily-life support step?
Summary
Reduce the decision to a few points
- Write the formulation in neutral language.
- Choose one medical and one psychological priority.
- Set a date for reviewing the formulation when information changes.
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