What was the somatic symptom disorder called?
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Somatoform disorder, also known as somatic symptom disorder (SSD) or psychosomatic disorder, is a mental health condition that causes an individual to experience physical bodily symptoms in response to psychological distress. Young people particularly find it difficult to express their feelings and because of this, it is likely that psychological distress is expressed as physical (somatic) symptoms. In light of this, it is thought that up to 10% of children in the UK that complain of aches and pains (stomach aches, joint pains, headaches, etc.) are given a diagnosis of 'medically unexplained symptoms (MUS)'. It also impacts a large proportion of adults who attend the GP. The mind and the body are very much connected and there are many ways in which physical and psychological symptoms interact. For patients who repeatedly present with somatoform disorder symptoms that are medically unexplained, it is vital to consider underlying psychological issues. This could include the presence of co-existing disorders such as:
There are different types of somatoform disorder, including chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and dissociative (conversion) disorder, which you can read more about in this article. There are different ways of managing psychosomatic disorders, including:
To read more about the best treatment for somatoform disorder, please read our full article. We also discuss the common signs and symptoms and how to spot a patient who may need further assessment. Types of somatoform disorderIt is important to remember this mental health disorder can present itself in different ways. This includes: Persistent somatoform pain disorder
Dissociative/conversion disorder
Chronic fatigue syndrome (neurasthenia)
There are many different reasons why someone could develop somatoform disorder. These fall into three main categories: Individual Experience of physical illness, traits of vulnerable and sensitive personality, concerns about peer relationships, high achievement orientation. Family Includes physical and mental health problems, parental somatisation, emotional over-involvement, limited emotional 'vocabulary'. Environment Includes academic pressures, teasing and bullying. Recognising a patient with somatoform disorderMain clinical features of this condition include:
Abdominal pains are more common in younger children whilst headaches would affect older children and adolescents, and conversion symptoms tend to occur around the age of 16. Surveys from various countries have found that approximately 1 in 4 children complain of at least one set of somatic symptoms weekly or fortnightly. AssessmentConsider that a child has somatoform disorder if:
Family GPs or paediatricians are likely to be the first port of call for most children. Reassurance that there is no treatable medical disorder will often relieve concerns enough for the child to improve without the need for further intervention. However, sometimes symptoms persist. Referral to a mental health service needs to be done in a sensitive manner with acknowledgement of the symptoms, as many children and families in these circumstances might fear that they are not being taken seriously and that referral to mental health services means their physical symptoms are not believed. Psychiatric assessment would include:
It is important to consider sending a patient for a psychiatric assessment if:
General management strategies for GPs
Assessment and initial treatment is usually initiated by the GP or paediatrician. It is recommended to use the bio-psycho-social framework and when the symptoms do not improve, a psychiatric referral should be made. Specific management strategiesIndividual psychological work
Family therapy
The aim of the treatment is to develop a partnership with the child, family and all professionals involved. Hospitalisation could be considered only in severe cases and when outpatient treatment has not been successful. Priory’s national network of hospitals and outpatient wellbeing centres are extremely well placed to treat mental health conditions such as this, and we have experts who specialise in somatoform disorder. What was the former name of somatic symptom disorder?A somatic symptom disorder, formerly known as a somatoform disorder, is any mental disorder that manifests as physical symptoms that suggest illness or injury, but cannot be explained fully by a general medical condition or by the direct effect of a substance, and are not attributable to another mental disorder (e.g., ...
What is a somatic symptom disorder?Somatic symptom disorder is characterized by an extreme focus on physical symptoms — such as pain or fatigue — that causes major emotional distress and problems functioning. You may or may not have another diagnosed medical condition associated with these symptoms, but your reaction to the symptoms is not normal.
What was somatic symptom disorder called in the DSM IV?The DSM-IV disorders of somatization disorder, hypochondriasis, pain disorder, and undifferentiated somatoform disorder have been removed, and many, but not all, of the individuals diagnosed with one of these disorders could now be diagnosed with SSD.
What are the 5 somatic disorders?They include somatization disorder, undifferentiated somatoform disorder, hypochondriasis, conversion disorder, pain disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, and somatoform disorder not otherwise specified. These disorders often cause significant emotional distress for patients and are a challenge to family physicians.
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