Somatization disorder is a long-term (chronic) condition in which a person has physical symptoms that are caused by psychological problems, and no physical problem can be found.
Alternative NamesBriquet syndrome
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThe disorder usually begins before the age of 30 and occurs more often in women than in men. The disorder is more common in people with irritable bowel syndrome and chronic pain.
Physicians often dismiss patients with somatization disorder as having problems that are "all in their head." However, as researchers study the connections between the brain, the digestive system, and the immune system, somatization disorders are becoming better understood. They should not be seen as "faked" conditions.
SymptomsPeople with this disorder have many physical complaints that last for years and can involve any body system. Most often, the complaints involve chronic pain and problems with the digestive system, nervous system, and reproductive system.
The symptoms are generally severe enough to interfere with work and relationships, and lead the person to visit the doctor and take medication. The person often has a lifelong history of "sickliness." However, even after a thorough evaluation, no physical cause is ever found to explain the symptoms. Stress often worsens the symptoms.
Some of the many symptoms that can occur with somatization disorder include:
It is important to note that many of these symptoms also occur in other medical and psychiatric disorders. If you experience any of these symptoms, work with your doctor to find possible causes before a diagnosis of somatization disorder is made.
Signs and testsOnce other causes have been investigated and it is likely that you have somatization disorder, the goal of treatment is to help you learn to control your symptoms. There is often a mood disorder, which may respond to antidepressant medications.
Having a supportive relationship with a sympathetic health care provider is the most important part of treatment. Regularly schedule appointments to review your symptoms and coping mechanisms. The health care provider should explain any test results.
You should not be told that your symptoms are imaginary. With the current understanding of the complex interactions between the brain and other body parts, scientists recognize that real physical symptoms can result from psychological stress.
ComplicationsHaving a good relationship with your primary health care provider is helpful. Call for an appointment if you notice a major change in your symptoms.
PreventionCounseling or other psychological interventions may help people who are prone to somatization learn other ways of dealing with stresses. This may help reduce the intensity of the symptoms.
ReferencesMoore DP, Jefferson JW. Briquet's syndrome. In: Moore DP, Jefferson JW, eds. Handbook of Medical Psychiatry. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2004:chap 90.
deGruy FV. The somatic patient. In: Rakel RE, ed. Textbook of Family Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 61.
Purcell TB. Somatoform disorders. In: Marx J, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2006:chap 111.
Somatization disorder is a mental health condition where individuals experience physical symptoms without a clear medical cause. These symptoms can be varied and persistent, leading to significant distress and impairment in daily functioning. Treatment often involves a combination of therapy, medication, and stress management techniques.
Somatization disorder is a long-term (chronic) condition in which a person has physical symptoms that involve more than one part of the body, but no physical cause can be found.
The pain and other symptoms people with this disorder feel are real, and are not created or faked on purpose (malingering).
Alternative NamesBriquet syndrome
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThe disorder usually begins before age 30 and occurs more often in women than in men. The disorder is more common in people with irritable bowel syndrome and chronic pain.
In the past, this disorder was thought to be related to emotional stress. The pain was dismissed as being "all in their head."
However, patients who have a somatization disorder seem to experience pain or other symptoms in a way that increases the level of pain. Pain and worry create a cycle that is hard to break.
People who have a history of physical or sexual abuse are more likely to have this disorder. However, not every person with a somatization disorder has a history of abuse.
As researchers study the connections between the brain and body, there is more evidence that emotional well-being affects the way in which people perceive pain and other symptoms.
SymptomsPeople with this disorder have many physical complaints that last for years. Most often, the complaints involve chronic pain and problems with the digestive system, nervous system, and reproductive system.
The symptoms often interfere with work and relationships, and lead to many visits to different health care providers.
Stress often worsens the symptoms.
Some of the many symptoms that can occur with somatization disorder include:
A thorough physical examination and diagnostic tests are performed to identify physical causes. The types of tests that are done depend on what symptoms you have.
A psychological evaluation is performed to identify related disorders.
If, after you have a thorough evaluation, no physical cause is found to explain the symptoms, somatization disorder may be diagnosed.
TreatmentThe goal of treatment is to help you learn to control your symptoms.
Having a supportive relationship with a health care provider is the most important part of treatment.
Finding a mental health provider who has experience treating somatization disorders with talk therapy (psychotherapy) can be helpful. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a kind of talk therapy, can help you deal with your pain. During therapy, you will learn:
If you have depression or an anxiety disorder, it may respond to antidepressant medications.
You should not be told that your symptoms are imaginary. Many health care providers now recognize that real physical symptoms can result from psychological stress.
ComplicationsYou can become dependent on pain relievers or sedatives.
Calling your health care providerHaving a good relationship with your primary health care provider is helpful. Call for an appointment if you notice a major change in your symptoms.
PreventionCounseling or other psychological interventions may help people who are prone to somatization learn other ways of dealing with stresses. This may help reduce the intensity of the symptoms.
ReferencesGreenberg DB, Braun IM, Cassem NH. Functional somatic symptoms and somatoform disorders. In: Stern TA, Rosenbaum JF, Fava M, Biederman J, Rauch SL, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier;2008:chap 24.
WitthA¶ft M, Hiller W. Psychological approaches to origins and treatments of somatoform disorders. Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 2010;6:257-283.
deGruy FV. The somatic patient. In: Rakel RE, ed. Textbook of Family Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 61.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 08/09/2010
Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Michelle Benger Merrill, MD, Instructor in Clinical Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The primary difference between hypochondriasis and somatization disorder is that people manifesting the former are fearful that their symptoms indicate a serious disease(s), whereas those with somatization disorder typically do not progress beyond a concern with the symptoms themselves.
Somatoform disorders are mental disorders in which physical symptoms cannot be fully explained by a known physical illness or injury. These disorders are characterized by the presence of physical symptoms that suggest a medical condition, but cannot be traced back to a specific medical cause. Examples include somatization disorder, conversion disorder, and illness anxiety disorder.
Psychosomatic refers to physical symptoms that are caused or exacerbated by psychological factors, such as stress or emotional distress. Somatization refers to the tendency to experience and communicate physical symptoms that have no apparent medical explanation, often as a way of expressing psychological distress. In essence, psychosomatic symptoms have a known psychological cause, whereas somatization involves physical symptoms without a clear medical explanation.
Mood disorder: Major depressive disorder, characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities. Anxiety disorder: Generalized anxiety disorder, involving excessive worry and anxiety about multiple aspects of life. Personality disorder: Borderline personality disorder, characterized by unstable relationships, self-image, and emotions, and impulsive behavior.
Some synonyms for disorder include chaos, confusion, disarray, and turmoil.
Somatization affects the gastrointestinal, nervous, cardiopulmonary, or reproductive systems.
There is no definite cure for somatization disorder, but there are methods that can ease the disorder. Antidepressants and cognitive behavioral therapy (specifically group therapy) are well known treatments.
The primary difference between hypochondriasis and somatization disorder is that people manifesting the former are fearful that their symptoms indicate a serious disease(s), whereas those with somatization disorder typically do not progress beyond a concern with the symptoms themselves.
Somatization
Briquet's syndrome-- Another name for somatization disorder.
Somatoform or somatization disorder refers to a group of chronic conditions where physical symptoms such as pain and discomfort are present but no organic cause could be identified for them.
prognosis for somatoform disorders depends.on.age and whether the disorder is chronic or episodic. somatization disorder and body dysmorphic disorder rarely resolve completely. Conversion disorder tends to be rapidly resolved, but may recur in.25%
Elsa G. Shapiro has written: 'The somatizing child' -- subject(s): Conversion disorder in children, Somatization disorder in children, Somatoform disorders in children
Patients with somatization disorder or pain disorder may be helped by a variety of alternative therapies including acupuncture, hydrotherapy, therapeutic massage, meditation, botanical medicine, and homeopathic treatment.
Only you know why you get so scared when doctors can't find anything wrong with you even though you are in pain. You should explain to the doctor where you are in pain, the severity of pain, and the frequency of pain. You may have a somatization disorder, which is when a person has physical problems caused by psychological problems. However, this doesn't mean that you are psycho or crazy. Discuss the possibility of somatization disorder with your doctor.
For example: 1) Personality disorders (borderline, paranoid, histrionic, etc.) 2) Anxiety disorders (specific phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, etc.) 3) Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders (delusional disorder, schizoaffective disorder, etc.) 4) Mood disorders (major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, dysthymic disorder, etc.) 5) Somatoform disorders (somatization disorder, hypocondriasis, conversion disorder, etc.) 6) Dissociative disorders (depersonalization disorder, etc.) 7) Adjustment disorder 8) Substance-induced disorders ... And many more. You can look up the DSM-IV-TR or the ICD-10 classification of mental disorders for details.
Psychosomatic refers to physical symptoms that are caused or exacerbated by psychological factors, such as stress or emotional distress. Somatization refers to the tendency to experience and communicate physical symptoms that have no apparent medical explanation, often as a way of expressing psychological distress. In essence, psychosomatic symptoms have a known psychological cause, whereas somatization involves physical symptoms without a clear medical explanation.