If you or a loved one is experiencing physical symptoms that are not related to a medical condition, your healthcare provider might refer you to a mental health professional for an assessment. Often, these somatic symptoms are the result of mental illness or substance abuse, and are accompanied by emotional distress.
The symptoms themselves can range from single or multiple somatic symptom events that last for months to years and are severe enough to have an impact on your daily life, including your work, social activities, relationships, and emotions. Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) can be diagnosed by your doctor and can be treated with psychotherapy, medications, or both.
Diagnosis and Treatment
The diagnosis of SSD is made by a health care provider after evaluating the patient’s medical history, lab tests, and physical exam. Your doctor may also order additional laboratory testing, such as a complete blood count, to rule out a serious medical condition that is causing the symptoms you’re experiencing.
During the assessment, your doctor will likely ask about your symptoms and if they have occurred in the past. The doctor will then conduct a series of laboratory tests to determine the cause and severity of your somatic symptoms.
You must display one or more somatic symptoms that are distressing, interfere with your daily functioning, and cause you to think, feel, or act in irrational ways. You must also have extreme and unrelenting thoughts about your symptoms, elevated levels of anxiety about your health or symptoms, and spend an excessive amount of time on your symptoms or health.
Somatic symptom disorder can be caused by any number of factors, including genetics, environmental stressors, and a history of mental illness. It can also be triggered by a past or ongoing physical health problem, such as cancer, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, or heart disease.
In some cases, people with a somatic symptom disorder have co-occurring mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety. In these cases, the two conditions need to be addressed simultaneously for treatment to be effective.
Prevalence and Risk Factors
Somatic symptom disorder is common in the general population, but it’s more prevalent in rural areas, people with lower socioeconomic status, and those with less education. It’s also more common in people who have a family history of chronic health problems, such as diabetes or fibromyalgia.
Symptoms are often recurrent and can include pain, fatigue, sleepiness, nausea or vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. They can affect any organ system, and they can occur at different times of the day.
A person with a somatic symptom disorder can feel a sense of guilt, shame, and helplessness over their symptoms. They may become overly dependent on others or irritable when they feel their needs are not met.
If you or a loved one is experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to seek help immediately. Your medical provider can refer you to a mental health specialist, who will assess your symptoms and confirm a somatic symptom disorder diagnosis. Your therapist will help you manage your symptoms and reduce your stress levels, so that you can function at your best. Cognitive behavioral therapy and antidepressant drugs are often used in the treatment of somatic symptom disorder.
