Mental and physical health are interdependent and interconnected.
Read on to learn more about somatoform disorders, including types, symptoms, and treatment options.
SDI Productions / Getty Images
What Are Somatoform Disorders?
SDI Productions / Getty Images
Its important to realize that people with somatic symptom disorder are not faking their symptoms.
If you have a somatoform disorder, your distressboth physical and mentalis not all in your head.
In theDSM-5, BDD was recategorized under the umbrella of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders.
How Common Is Somatic Symptom Disorder?
To meet the criteria, your symptoms must not be better explained by another condition, mental or physical.
Your provider may refer you to a specialist who can treat your specific symptoms.
Theres no agreed-upon, universal cause for somatic symptom and related disorders.
Genetics, environment, stress, trauma, and a history of severe illness may increase your risk.
People withcomorbidmental health conditions are more likely to develop both unexplained medical symptoms and health-related anxiety.
Treatment for somatic symptom and related disorders typically involves psychotherapy and/or medication.
You should also be tested and treated for any possible underlying physical conditions.
If you think you may have a somatoform disorder, talk to your provider about diagnosis and treatment.
People with somatic symptom disorder typically experience extreme emotional distress in response to troubling medical symptoms.
Common symptoms associated with somatic symptom disorder include shortness of breath, dizziness, weakness, and pain.
There may or may not be an underlying physical condition associated with the symptoms.
They can refer you to a mental health provider, such as a therapist or psychiatrist, if necessary.
Your symptoms may also have both physical and psychological causes, so its important to treat them both.
American Psychological Association.Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders.
American Psychological Association.Somatoform Disorder.
Ezra Y, Hammerman O, Shahar G.The four-cluster spectrum of mind-body interrelationships: an integrative model.Front Psychiatry.
2019;10:39. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00039
American Psychiatric Association.What Is Somatic Symptom Disorder?.
2014;56(3):182-186.
Eger Aydogmus M.Social stigma towards people with medically unexplained symptoms: the somatic symptom disorder.Psychiatr Q.
2020;91(2):349-361. doi:10.1007/s11126-019-09704-6
American Psychological Association.Illness Anxiety Disorder.
American Psychological Association.Conversion Disorder.
National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus.Conversion Disorder.
American Psychological Association.Factitious Disorder.
American Psychological Association.Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy.
American Psychological Association.Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus.Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy.
2018;20(1):23-31. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2018.20.1/phenningsen
National Health Service.Medically Unexplained Symptoms.
