What are Somatic Symptom Disorders?
Somatic symptom disorder, also known as somatoform disorder, is a mental condition characterized by physical symptoms which is accompanied by dysfunctional cognitive, affective, emotions, or behavioral reactions. Generally speaking, individuals with somatic symptom disorder excessively focus on bodily sensations and symptoms, such as pain, weakness, and shortness of breath, leading to distress and physical or psychological functioning problems. Or even if you haven't been diagnosed with any disease, you always think that there are some problems with your body.
Somatic symptom disorder was first introduced in the latest American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). The prevalence of somatic symptom disorder is about 5% to 7% in the general adult population with a higher proportion of females. It is suggested that multiple factors, such as emotional stress, genetic factors, childhood neglect, medical or physical abuse, etc., all can cause somatic symptom disorder. Moreover, severe somatic symptom disorder has been demonstrated to be closely related to personality disorders, especially avoidance, paranoia, self-frustration, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Diagnosis of Somatic Symptom Disorders
The pathological mechanism of somatic symptom disorder remains to be revealed. Additionally, the nonspecific symptoms in somatic syndrome disorder may be confused with other diseases, which makes it difficult to diagnose by laboratory tests. Physical exams and other laboratory tests may be used to rule out physical diseases based on the symptoms. The diagnostic criteria have been published in DSM-5. Valid self-report questionnaires and psychological counseling also are useful as assistance for the somatic symptom disorder diagnosis.
Management and Treatment of Somatic Symptom Disorders
At present, the primary objective of somatic symptom disorder treatment is to improve daily functioning and properly manage physical symptoms, rather than eliminating the symptoms. Several treatment options are available for somatic symptom disorder patients:
1) Psychotherapy, such as talk therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, is preferred. It is beneficial to relieve symptoms associated with somatic symptom disorder and cope with physical symptoms and stress by correcting the patients' thinking and behavior patterns.
2) Occupational therapy usually is used for guiding patients in different ways to manage better cope with mental conditions, such as anxiety and stress, and how to respond to situations more effectively.
3) Mindfulness-based therapy is effective in treating somatic symptom disorder, which can significantly ameliorate the severity of the symptom, depression, and anxiety.
4) Physical therapy is sometimes necessary to relieve physical symptoms and improve functioning.
5) Anti-psychiatric medications are also recommended. Antidepressants, usually selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, are effective in alleviating somatic symptom disorder symptoms.
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