You suspect somatisation in a patient presenting with physical complaints. Before revealing the answer, decide how you would assess for this.

Take a careful history of the physical complaints, noting whether they fully explain the severity or persistence of the person's distress on medical assessment. Ask specific, direct questions about mood, sleep, interest, and related areas, since depressive features often only become apparent with this kind of targeted enquiry rather than being spontaneously reported. Note whether the patient presents primarily seeking help for the physical complaints, with any underlying low mood emerging only incidentally. Consider the pattern and distribution of physical symptoms, such as pain, fatigue, or gastrointestinal complaints, which are commonly described.