Somatoform Disorder - Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Somatization disorder was formerly called Briquet's syndrome. Somatoform disorders are physical ailments or concerns for which no adequate medical explanation has been found. These disorders are characterized by physical complaints that appear to be medical in origin but that cannot be explained in terms of a physical disease, the results of substance abuse, or by another mental disorder. Somatoform disorders are characterized by persistent physical symptoms without a demonstrable organic pathology or physiologic explanation along with clinical indications. Somatoform disorders are physical symptoms that seem as if they are part of a general medical condition, however no general medical condition, other mental disorder, or substance is present. Somatization disorder usually begins before the age of 30. It is estimated that 0.2% of the United States population will develop this disorder in the course of their lives. Another researcher estimates that 1% of all women in the United States have symptoms of this disorder. Somatoform disorders are, however, a significant problem for the health care system because patients with these disturbances overuse medical services and resources.

Somatoform disorder may also cause gastrointestinal problems. Depression and stress are thought to be other possible causes of somatoform disorder. Others caused is many medical problems, somatoform disorder often runs in families. Symptoms of somatoform disorder may include frequent headaches, back pain, abdominal cramping and pelvic pain. Other symptoms include pain in the joints, legs and arms, and chest or abdominal pain. There is a somatoform disorder, however, referred to as undifferentiated somatoform disorder in which the patient may have concurrent conversion, hypochondrical and somatoform pain symptoms. A long-term relationship with a trusted primary care practitioner (PCP) is a safeguard against unnecessary treatments as well as a comfort to the patient. Many PCPs prefer to schedule brief appointments on a regular basis with the patient and keep referrals to specialists to a minimum. Patients with somatoform disorders are not considered good candidates for psychoanalysis and other forms of insight-oriented psychotherapy. Hypnosis is a technique that is sometimes used as part of a general psychotherapeutic approach to conversion disorder

Causes of Somatoform Disorder

Common Causes and Risk factors of Somatoform Disorder

• Depression.
• Stress.
• Social and/or occupational functioning.
• Genetic factors.
• Biological factors.
• Cultural influences.

Signs and Symptoms of Somatoform Disorder

Common Sign and Symptoms of Somatoform Disorder

• Pain.
• Fatigue .
• Appetite loss.
• Gastrointestinal problems.
• Hallucinations.
• Disorganized speech.

Treatment of Somatoform Disorder

Common Treatment of Somatoform Disorder

• Patients with somatoform disorders are sometimes given antianxiety drugs or antidepressant drugs
• Body dysmorphic disorder as been successfully treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) antidepressants.
• Some patients with pain disorder benefit from group therapy or support groups, particularly if their social network has been limited by their pain symptoms.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy is also used sometimes to treat pain disorder.
• Family therapy is usually recommended for children or adolescents with somatoform disorders.
• Hypnosis is a technique that is sometimes used as part of a general psychotherapeutic approach to conversion disorder.