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Somatic Symptom Disorder

Introduction

Somatic symptom  disorder, which was termed somatoform disorder in the past is a group of disorders where the symptoms cannot be explained medically. Typically the doctor orders tests and investigations to check for physical abnormalities. However, all of the tests turn out to be normal. As it is difficult to diagnose this condition the patient often is referred both to a neurologist as well as to a psychiatrist and after some time the specialists are able to make the  diagnosis of somatic symptom disorder. It is important to note that somatic symptom disorder has nothing to do with malingering or with a factitious disorder, where symptoms are deliberately exaggerated or produced. The patient is not aware that the symptoms have no physical basis.

However, the distress over these symptoms is so severe that it causes problems at work, socially and in other areas of functioning. There are five major subgroups as follows: body dysmorphic disorder, conversion disorder, hypochondriasis, pain disorder and somatization disorder.

 Somatic Symptom Disorder

Somatic Symptom Disorder

 

References:

1. Dr. David Burns: “Feeling good –The new mood therapy”, Avon    Books, New  York,1992.

2. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth    Edition, (DSM-IV),American Psychiatric Association,    Washington,DC,1994.

3. Dr. Shaila Misri at the 46th St. Paul’s Hosp. Cont. Educ. Conference,    November 2000, Vancouver/B.C./ Canada.

4. JM Loftis et al. J Neurochem 2000 Nov 75(5): 2040-2050.

5. B. Zilbergeld et al. “Hypnosis – Questions& Answers”, W.W. Norton    & Co, New York,1986: 307-312.

6. MH Erickson & EL Rossi:”Hypnotherapy, an exploratory casebook”,     Irvington Publishers Inc., New York, 1979: chapter 8, 314-363.

7. G Steketee et al. Compr Psychiatry 2001 Jan 42(1): 76-86.

8. DS Mennin et al. J Anxiety Disord 2000 July-Aug 14(4): 325- 343.

9. J Hartland: “Medical &Dental Hypnosis and its Clinical Applications”,     2nd edition, Bailliere Tindall,London,1982, page: 326-336.

10. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somatic_symptom_disorder

Last modified: November 10, 2014

Disclaimer
This outline is only a teaching aid to patients and should stimulate you to ask the right questions when seeing your doctor. However, the responsibility of treatment stays in the hands of your doctor and you.