Somatic Symptom disorder is a condition in which a person has excessive thoughts, feelings or behaviors related to their physical symptoms. These symptoms cause distress and interfere with functioning. They may or may not be caused by a medical disease.
Physicians take a detailed history and examine the patient carefully, often doing tests. Patients with this disorder are difficult to reassure and often interpret negative test results as proof that their physician is not taking their symptoms seriously.
Physical Symptoms
Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD) describes a condition where a person experiences extreme, exaggerated feelings of pain or other bodily sensations that disrupt their daily activities. These symptoms are not explained by a medical illness and cause extreme distress. People with SSD may also believe that routine medical problems are life threatening. This is a very real condition. A person with SSD is not faking or making up their symptoms, but they are focusing on them to an excessive degree. These physical symptoms can interfere with a person’s ability to work or maintain relationships and can affect their health.
The physical symptoms of somatic symptom disorder can vary among people, but any kind of body sensation that causes distress is included in this group. The symptoms may be as minor as a stomachache or as severe as a headache, and they can affect any part of the body. They can be as short-lived as a single incident or as long-lasting as a chronic problem.
Some examples of the physical symptoms that are seen in somatic symptom disorder include chest pain, difficulty breathing, numbness or tingling in different parts of the body, and fatigue. Other symptoms include a pounding heartbeat, trouble concentrating or blurred vision, and feeling like the person is moving in slow motion. These symptoms may interfere with a person’s ability to function and lead them to miss work, school or other activities.
Children who have somatic symptom disorder often worry that they have serious diseases, such as cancer or a brain tumor. They may be afraid to eat or sleep because of the discomfort and stress. They can become withdrawn or sad and have trouble focusing on their lessons. They can also have trouble playing with their friends and interacting with teachers. It’s important for physicians to look for a medical illness when patients have unexplained physical symptoms. However, doctors should try to avoid over-evaluation and unnecessary testing, because these can make patients more anxious. It’s also important for doctors to reassure their patients, but this can be difficult because patients who have a somatic symptom disorder don’t easily accept reassurance.
Mental Symptoms
A person who has somatic symptom disorder obsesses over one or more physical symptoms, such as pain, weakness or shortness of breath, to the point that they cause major distress and problems functioning. The symptoms may or may not be medically unexplained, but the disproportionate thoughts, feelings and behaviors that accompany them make it clear that the individual is not faking their illness. The symptoms may last for several years and cause severe distress.
Despite the fact that the person is not suffering from a serious medical problem, they may still feel a great deal of emotional stress when the doctor tells them that their symptoms are not real or that their health concerns are unfounded. They may continue to pressure the doctor for tests and procedures that could prove their fears are valid, and they might spend a lot of money on unnecessary treatments.
Children with somatic symptom disorder may become worried about normal body sensations, such as stomachaches or headaches. They might think that these sensations are a sign of a serious illness, such as cancer. This is called illness anxiety disorder. It is a condition that is more common in girls than boys.
Some of the mental health conditions that were previously distinct, including somatization disorder, undifferentiated somatoform disorder and hypochondriasis, have been replaced in the DSM-5 with somatic symptom disorder. The diagnosis includes the characteristics of the previous disorders, such as a focus on physical symptoms and excessive thoughts related to them.
During an evaluation for somatic symptom disorder, the health care provider will perform a physical exam and probably order some lab tests to rule out medical conditions that could be causing the person’s discomfort. They will also ask the person about their past health history. If the results of these tests show that the person has no underlying medical condition, they will refer the patient to a mental health professional for assessment. This will include a psychiatric assessment and possibly medication. The therapist will help the patient learn to recognize when their worries are out of proportion to the actual situation.
Treatment
A mental health professional can help diagnose and treat somatic symptom disorder. Treatment options can include medications, psychotherapy or other psychiatric interventions. The goal of treatment is to reduce a person’s obsession with their symptoms so they can function and enjoy life.
People with somatic symptom disorder have a significant focus on physical pain, weakness or shortness of breath to the extent that they are causing major distress and problems functioning. They also have excessive thoughts, feelings and behaviors related to these symptoms. The symptoms are not caused by a diagnosed medical condition, and the person doesn’t believe they are faking them.
Some people are more susceptible to developing somatic symptom disorder than others. A history of illness or injury, lower levels of education, or a low socio-economic status may increase the risk. Certain personality traits might also play a role. For example, a pessimistic outlook might lead someone to misinterpret benign sensations as signs of disease or illness.
When people with somatic symptom disorder seek out medical care, their doctor will perform a physical exam and order laboratory tests to rule out conditions that might cause the person’s symptoms. If the test results are normal, a mental health professional will determine whether the person meets criteria for somatic symptom disorder.
A diagnosis of somatic symptom disorder means that the person is having a significant impact on their quality of life and their relationships due to their excessive focus on physical symptoms. It’s important that they see a doctor as soon as possible to minimize this impact.
It’s important for people with somatic symptom disorder to follow their treatment plan and stick to it even when they feel tired or frustrated. They should resist the urge to turn to unhealthy coping skills that promise quick fixes, as they will only lead to bigger problems in the future. Instead, they should continue to practice healthy coping skills that will take time but will produce lasting positive changes. This might include finding ways to decrease stress, renewing relationships and practicing relaxation techniques. Also, it’s important to spend time doing things they enjoy and to maintain regular contact with family and friends.
Prevention
To prevent a somatic symptoms disorder episode, it is important to seek medical attention for any new physical symptom that could be serious. It is also helpful to have a counselor who can help with the mind-body connection and teach techniques for stress reduction and healthy communication. Avoid spending too much time talking about your health, and try to form positive relationships with others that don’t center around medical concerns. This will help to minimize the amount of energy you devote to health and wellness, and will prevent somatization from consuming your life. Also, try to balance your treatment path with the medical one; continue on a mental health track while undergoing any necessary medical tests or treatments.