One of the somatoform disorders, characterized by multiple physical complaints not fully explained by any known medical condition yet severe enough to result in medical treatment or alteration in lifestyle. Symptoms include pain in different sites, symptoms referable to the gastrointestinal tract and the sexual or reproductive system, and symptoms suggestive of a neurological disorder.
Multiple, recurrent, and long- term somatic complaints which are apparently not due to any physical disorder. The complaints begin before the age of 30 and have a chronic but fluctuating course. In DSM-III-R, it is classified as one of the somatoform disorders. Also known as Briquet’s syndrome.
A somatoform disorder in which a person seeks medical help for physical symptoms that have no observable physical cause.
A mental illness characterized by frequent complaints about physical symptoms that have no discernible physical cause and that arise from emotional conflict or anxiety. The symptoms and complaints can affect any body system and often persist for years. Common symptoms include painful menstruation, pain during intercourse (dyspareunia), lack of sexual desire, distress in the gastrointestinal tract (nausea, vomiting, bloating, or diarrhea), paralysis or weakness of muscles, temporary blindness, and pain in the chest or joints. Symptoms tend to begin or worsen during the period of grief during or following a loss and often intensify under stress. Somatization disorder usually begins before age 30 and is most common in adolescent and young-adult females.
A condition of recurrent and multiple somatic complaints of several years duration for which medical attention has been sought but no physical basis for the disorder has been found. The disorder impairs social, occupational, or other forms of functioning. The age of onset is usually prior to 30. The somatic complaints may be related to virtually any organ system. If these occur in association with a general medical condition, the physical complaints must be in excess of what would be expected from the medical illness. There must be a history of pain related to at least four different sites or functions such as menstruation, sexual intercourse, or urination. There also must be a history of at least two gastrointestinal symptoms other than pain. There must be a history of at least one sexual or reproductive symptom other than pain (e.g., nausea, vomiting, bloating). In women, this may consist of irregular menses, menorrhagia, or vomiting throughout pregnancy. In men, there may be symptoms such as erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction. Both sexes may be subject to sexual indifference. And there must also be a history of at least one symptom, other than pain, that suggests a neurological condition such as impaired coordination or balance, paralysis or localized weakness, difficulty in swallowing or speaking, urinary retention, hallucinations, loss of touch or pain sensation, double vision, blindness, deafness, seizures, amnesia, and loss of consciousness other than fainting. The unexplained symptoms are not intentionally feigned or produced.
Somatization disorder is a chronic condition characterized by the conversion of psychological stresses into physical symptoms, which can significantly disrupt work and interpersonal relationships. Patients with somatization disorder often express a range of physical complaints, and lower back pain is frequently reported among them. While lower back pain is a common symptom associated with somatization disorder, it is important to note that the root cause of the pain may be attributed to psychological distress or unresolved emotional issues rather than solely physical factors. Managing somatization disorder requires a comprehensive approach that addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of the condition, with the goal of alleviating symptoms, improving functioning, and fostering healthier work and relationship dynamics.
This condition involves an individual expressing persistent complaints of diverse physical issues spanning multiple years, despite the absence of any identifiable organic cause. Formerly labeled as hysteria, this disorder typically initiates prior to the age of 30 and triggers an array of examinations conducted by multiple medical practitioners. Consequently, unnecessary surgical procedures and other treatments might ensue.
The symptoms that individuals frequently report primarily encompass neurological concerns like double vision, seizures, and weakness, as well as gynecological issues such as painful menstruation and discomfort during intercourse. Additionally, gastrointestinal symptoms like abdominal pain and nausea are also common. This condition is often linked with underlying anxiety, depression, or substance misuse.
The physical manifestations within somatization disorder stem from concealed emotional conflicts, anxiety, and depression that the individual cannot directly address and subconsciously transfers onto the body.