What Is The Hallmark Of Somatic Symptoms And Related Disorders? (2024)

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What Is The Hallmark Of Somatic Symptoms And Related Disorders? ›

Somatic symptom and related disorders are mental health disorders characterized by an intense focus on physical (somatic) symptoms that causes significant distress and/or interferes with daily functioning.

Ongoing thoughts that are out of proportion with the seriousness of symptoms. Ongoing high level of anxiety about health or symptoms. Excessive time and energy spent on the symptoms or health concerns.

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.

Somatic symptom and related disorders (SSDs) are a group of diseases in which youth have physical symptoms that are either very distressing or result in significant disruption of their daily functioning, as well as excessive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors regarding those symptoms.

One or more thoughts, feelings, and/or behaviors that are related to the somatic symptom(s) which are persistent, excessive, associated with a high level of anxiety, and results in the devotion of excessive time and energy. Symptoms lasting for more than 6 months.

(soh-MA-tik) Having to do with the body.

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.

The SASS is used to measure the somatic symptoms and their severity in clinical settings. The scale has four subscales namely, pain related symptoms, sensory somatic symptoms, nonspecific somatic symptoms and biological function related symptoms.

Somatic symptom and related disorders are mental health disorders characterized by an intense focus on physical (somatic) symptoms that causes significant distress and/or interferes with daily functioning. Most mental health disorders are characterized by mental symptoms.

How do you live with someone with somatic symptom disorder? ›

Spouses and family members can take the same approach. Avoid direct confrontation about the truthfulness of the symptoms and help the person identify creative and practical solutions and coping strategies that can minimize the problems caused by the symptoms.

It can be described as aching, cramping, gnawing, or even sharp. It usually appears in one area of the body, and movement can trigger it. Cuts, headaches, and pelvic pain can all be classified under Somatic pain.

Cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness-based therapy are effective for the treatment of somatic symptom disorder. Amitriptyline, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and St. John's wort are effective pharmacologic treatments for somatic symptom disorder.

Because physical symptoms can be related to psychological distress and a high level of health anxiety, psychotherapy — specifically, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) — can help improve physical symptoms. CBT can help you: Examine and adapt your beliefs and expectations about health and physical symptoms.

If you have been diagnosed with somatic symptom disorder, you may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Social Security Administration considers claimants who are diagnosed with somatic symptom disorder or a similar disorder under Listing 12.07.

Women generally report more bodily distress and more numerous, more intense, and more frequent somatic symptoms than men.

Some examples of common somatic delusions include: Fears of infestation or infection. People with somatic delusions often believe they've been infected by parasites that have taken over their internal organs, or by tiny insects that have burrowed under their skin to lay their eggs. Distorted body image.