Somatoform disorder :
Somatic symptom disorder is diagnosed when a person has a significant focus on physical
symptoms, such as pain, weakness or shortness of breath
The Individual has excessive thoughts, feelings and behaviors relating to the physical
symptoms
Types of Somatoform Disorders
• Somatization disorder
• Conversion disorder
• Pain disorder
• Hypochondriasis
• Other specified somatic symptom and related disorder
• Unspecified somatic symptom and related disorder
Somatization Disorder
Somatization disorder occurs when a person continually complains of physical symptoms
when there is no physical condition present to cause the symptoms.
Conversion Disorder
Conversion disorder occurs when physical symptoms mimic symptoms of a neurological
disorder even though no neurological disorder is present. Symptoms may include
paralysis, vision or hearing loss, or seizures. A conversion disorder is generally the result of
trauma and impacts a person’s senses and movement.
Pain Disorder
Somatoform pain disorder is characterized by recurring pain in one or more parts of the
body with no known cause. When pain causes considerable distress and when
psychological factors play a significant role in the onset, magnitude and duration of the
pain.
Hypochondriasis
Hypochondriasis occurs when a person believes that normal bodily signs or minor
symptoms are evidence of a severe illness,. Physical symptoms may either be real or
imagined. Hypochondriasis was removed from the fifth edition of the Diagnostic Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and replaced with somatic symptom disorder and
illness anxiety disorder.
Other Specified Somatic Symptom and Related Disorder
Symptoms characteristic of somatic disorders that do not meet full criteria for any
somatoform disorder.
• Brief somatic symptoms disorder
• Brief illness anxiety disorder
• Illness anxiety disorder without excessive health-related behaviors
Unspecified Somatic Symptom and Related Disorder
unspecified somatic symptom and related disorder diagnosis should only be given in
unusual situations, or in situations where there is insufficient information to make a
more specific diagnosis.
Symptoms of Somatoform Disorders
• Persistent worry about possible sickness
• Interpretation of normal bodily sensations as an indication of severe physical
sickness
• Fear that symptoms are dire or life-threatening in the absence of facts or medical
confirmation
• Mistrust of medical assessments and treatment
• Excessive visits to a physician or hospital that never alleviate concerns
• More significant impairment than what is commonly expected from a medical
circumstance
Causes of Somatoform Disorders
Genetic and hereditary factors, such as hypersensitivity to pain sensations, may be
involved. Family influences can be another contributing factor.
Somatoform Disorder Treatment :
• Psychotherapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Antidepressant medications
Risk and Prognostic Factors
• Sex- and Gender-Related Diagnostic Issues
• Association With Suicidal Thoughts or Behavior
• Functional Consequences of Somatic Symptom Disorder
