Somatoform Disorder Treatment

Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD formerly known as “Somatization Disorder” or “Somatoform Disorder”) is a form of Mental Illness that causes one or more bodily symptoms, including pain. The symptoms may or may not be traceable to a physical cause including general medical conditions, other Mental Illnesses, or Substance Abuse. But regardless, they cause excessive and disproportionate levels of distress. The symptoms can involve one or more different organs and body systems, such as:

Pain
Neurologic Problems
Gastrointestinal Complaints
Sexual Symptoms
Many people who have SSD will also have an anxiety disorder.

People with SSD are not faking their symptoms. The distress they experience from pain and other problems they experience are real, regardless of whether or not a physical explanation can be found. And the distress from symptoms significantly affects daily functioning.

Doctors need to perform many tests to rule out other possible causes before diagnosing SSD.

The diagnosis of SSD can create a lot of stress and frustration for patients but the treatment for somatoform disorder is worth it. They may feel unsatisfied if there’s no better physical explanation for their symptoms or if they are told their level of distress about a physical illness is excessive. Stress often leads patients to become more worried about their health, and this creates a vicious cycle that can persist for years.

Disorders Related to Somatic Symptom Disorder
Several conditions related to SSD are now described in psychiatry. These include:

Illness Anxiety Disorder (formerly called Hypochondriasis). People with this type are preoccupied with a concern they have a serious disease. They may believe that minor complaints are signs of very serious medical problems. For example, they may believe that a common headache is a sign of a brain tumor.
Conversion Disorder (also called Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder). This condition is diagnosed when people have neurological symptoms that can’t be traced back to a medical cause. For example, patients may have symptoms such as:

Weakness or Paralysis
Abnormal Movements (such as tremor, unsteady gait, or seizures)
Blindness
Hearing Loss
Loss of Sensation or Numbness
Stress usually makes symptoms of conversion disorder worse.