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. 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.

Causes of Somatoform Disorders

The causes of somatoform disorders are not clearly understood. In hypochondria, a

person may be overly sensitive to body sensations or overinterpret the meaning of
normal body sensations. A distressing memory of childhood illness may also play a part.
It is believed that conversion disorder, somatization disorder, and pain disorder are all
caused by the conversion, or shifting, of stressful emotional events or feelings of conflict
into body symptoms to relieve anxiety * . Body dysmorphic disorder involves a distorted
body image, and may be influenced by cultures that emphasize the importance of
physical appearance, and early experiences which may have interfered with developing
self-esteem
Types of Somatoform

Somatic symptom disorders are a group of disorders, all of which fit the definition of
physical symptoms similar to those observed in physical disease or injury for which
there is no identifiable physical cause. As such, they are a diagnosis of exclusion. They
are recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the
American Psychiatric Association as the following:

 Conversion disorder: A somatic symptom disorder involving the actual loss of

bodily function such as blindness, paralysis, and numbness due to excessive
anxiety
 Illness anxiety disorder: A somatic symptom disorder involving persistent and
excessive worry about developing a serious illness. This disorder has recently
gone under review and has been altered into three different classifications.
 Body dysmorphic disorder: wherein the afflicted individual is concerned with body
image, and is manifested as excessive concern about and preoccupation with a
perceived defect of their physical appearance.
 Pain disorder
 Undifferentiated somatic symptom disorder – only one unexplained symptom is
required for at least 6 months. Included among these disorders are false
pregnancy, psychogenic urinary retention, and mass psychogenic illness (so-
called mass hysteria).

Treatment of Somatoform Disorders

Somatoform disorders are diagnosed by performing a medical evaluation and testing to

determine whether there is a physical reason for a patient's symptoms and complaints.
If there is not, a somatoform disorder may be diagnosed by looking closely at the
particular signs and symptoms. A correct diagnosis is important, in order to avoid
unnecessary surgery and other medical procedures and to begin proper treatment for
the particular disorder.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is the appropriate treatment for somatoform disorders. With the

help of a mental health professional, a person tries to understand and resolve
anxiety, trauma, or conflicts that are behind these conditions. Treatment may
take varying lengths of time, depending on the severity of a disorder in a
particular person.
For Parents

 Limit or remove attention for pain behavior. Parents should limit their discussion
and attention to their child's reports of pain. When your child tells you about pain,
you should briefly respond by acknowledging your child's pain but keep the
discussion to a minimum. For example, you could tell your child that you are
sorry the pain has returned and encourage him or her to use relaxation or the
coping skills he or she has been taught. If you continue to talk about your child's
pain, your child will be unable to shift his or her attention from the pain to other
activities, such as homework or play.

 Be sure that your child goes to school each day. If your child complains of a
stomachache or headache in the morning before school, limit your discussion
about it. Continue your morning routine, making it clear to your child that he or
she will be going to school. If your child reports pain at school, please arrange for
the teacher, principal, or school nurse to have your child rest quietly for a brief
period and then return to the classroom. Interrupted activities (eg, school tests)
should be resumed when your child returns to the class or, if necessary, be
rescheduled at the earliest possible convenience. There will be times when your
child is sick and needs to stay home. Signs and symptoms of illness (eg, fever,
runny nose, sore throat, diarrhea) are different from those of chronic
stomachaches. Any new symptoms should be reported to your child's doctor.

 Help your child identify stress at home and school. Be sure that you know when
your child is experiencing stress about certain home or school activities. Only you
and your child will know what might be bothering him or her, but some examples
include visits from relatives, tests in school, book reports or special projects due,
and teasing from friends. When your child is under stress, be sure that you have
discussed with the therapist ways to help your child cope with stress. Coping
skills may help your child learn ways to handle stressful situations that might be
related to episodes of pain.
 STI College Sta. Cruz

S.Y 2016-2017

Somatoform Disorder

Prepared By :
Arianne Leonore Epino
Henzelyn Rose Alegro
Leila Franchesca Gube
Jade Michelle Lasola
Princess Jhaira Mae M. Meraña