Psychopathologie du travail

Although the GP lack both the possibility of an in situ objective assessment and that of a direct intervention in the working place, some means remain available for assessing and managing patients with work-related psychic complaints. The GP must always make a diagnosis, taking into account the fact that work-related symptoms are the same as described by general psychiatry. Then, the role of the work situation must be assessed taking into account the patient's personal factors and the other environmental factors. The management consists essentially in psychotherapy, together with pharmaceuticals if required. The attending physician cannot manage the social aspect of the follow-up which consists in an attempt to modify the patient's work situation and/or in informing the legal authorities on the resulting prejudice in order to obtain compensations.