Somatic Symptom Disorder: What You Need To Know

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Chapters

0:00 Introduction
0:51 causes of Somatic Symptom Disorder
1:45 Symptoms of Somatic Symptom Disorder
2:42 Diagnosis for Somatic Symptom Disorder
3:04 treatment

A somatic symptom disorder, formerly known as a somatoform disorder,[1][2][3] is any mental disorder that manifests as physical symptoms that suggest illness or injury, but cannot be explained fully by a general medical condition or by the direct effect of a substance, and are not attributable to another mental disorder (e.g., panic disorder).[4] Somatic symptom disorders, as a group, are included in a number of diagnostic schemes of mental illness, including the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. (Before DSM-5 this disorder was split into somatization disorder and undifferentiated somatoform disorder.)

In people who have been diagnosed with a somatic symptom disorder, medical test results are either normal or do not explain the person's symptoms (medically unexplained physical symptoms), and history and physical examination do not indicate the presence of a known medical condition that could cause them, though the DSM-5 cautions that this alone is not sufficient for diagnosis.[1] The patient must also be excessively worried about their symptoms, and this worry must be judged to be out of proportion to the severity of the physical complaints themselves.[5] A diagnosis of somatic symptom disorder requires that the subject have recurring somatic complaints for at least six months.[6]

Symptoms are sometimes similar to those of other illnesses and may last for years. Usually, the symptoms begin appearing during adolescence, and patients are diagnosed before the age of 30 years.[7] Symptoms may occur across cultures and gender.[6] Other common symptoms include anxiety and depression.[6] However, since anxiety and depression are also very common in persons with confirmed medical illnesses,[8] it remains unproven whether such symptoms are a consequence of the physical impairment or a cause. Somatic symptom disorders are not the result of conscious malingering (fabricating or exaggerating symptoms for secondary motives) or factitious disorders (deliberately producing, feigning, or exaggerating symptoms).[9] Somatic symptom disorder is difficult to diagnose and treat. Some advocates of the diagnosis believe this is because proper diagnosis and treatment requires psychiatrists to work with neurologists on patients with this disorder.[6]

[lj]

I've had somatization disorder now for 12 years being diagnosed only 6 years ago. After hundreds of doctors appointments and multiple tests like m.r.i.s, ct scans, ultrasounds over that 12 year span, nothing has been found from these symptoms that I go through. I've tried meds, cognitive behavior therapy, acupuncture and almost everything in the book these past 6 years yet I still suffer from this debilitating disease. I applied for social security disability and got it right away as have just been crippled by this disease. Scary thing is that you don't know what's real and what's not. I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer last year even though I felt no symptoms for that one particular thing. It was found as I had an m.r.i. for swelling under my jaw. My shrink said to stay away from doctors while my doctor said if i'm dealing with real symptoms, i must follow up with a doctor. I feel real painful and destressing symptoms....what do I do? Any advice would be appreciated?

[omgthisana]

My brain : why am I feeling this pain again ? *Cycling thinking for 10 mins*Again and again ? Then health anxiety questions then panic anxiety then feeling a bit better because mind lost in a thought. Silence. Let’s repeat 🔁 🤧😂 honestly I think the best thing that helping me is talking to people, like random things try to do some gym and just trying all in all. It’s already a good step. If someone reading this, you not alone to suffer and have deeep and crazy thoughts about what’s going on. I’m writing this but I know I’m gonna suffer soon 😂 realizing it and accepting it is a big step for me hope for you too guys. All my positive energy for you guys ❤

[alistoramber]

I was diagnosed with somatic symptoms disorder due to frequent hospital visits and pain and as they said sensory hallucinations. I was diagnosed with somatic symptom disorder, a year after I switched my psychiatrist due to moving to a different place and got a new psych, he diagnosed me with bipolar disorder and I don’t agree with that but the more I say no to his meds the more he will label me as non adherent

[Yvuyctxtxtx]

We think about our symptoms when doctors don’t do their jobs and find the actual illness. No shit we’re worried; we’re suffering an undiagnosed illness.

[nurulabdullah]

When i have hypersensitivity to sound plus hyperacusis & misophonia all my life, suddenly someones mistake makes me lose it all. Lose my sensitivity to sound, went to doc, been on med for 10mnths now, then he told my mom its somatic disorder cause he did all he can, but I still cant have my sensitivity to sound back..how frustrating..makes me feel like I made up all of these..

[QNominall]

Really out here reading me like a book.

[Truerealism]

Same do you have hypermobility anything changed

[laurenclark]

I got this diagnosis sick two years. Dry heaving now convulsions

[HalfB]

🚨 Please highlight this important correction for your viewers understanding!! 🚨
1:35 ‘……..such as a family of illnesses’.
Instead of, ‘such as a family illness’.
God bless 🛐🫶😇