Somatization disorder

Somatization Disorder

Somatization disorder is a mental and behavioral disorder  characterized by recurring, multiple, and current, clinically significant complaints about somatic symptoms. It was recognized in the DSM-IV-TR classification system, but in the latest version DSM-5, it was combined with undifferentiated somatoform disorder to become somatic symptom disorder, a diagnosis which no longer requires a specific number of somatic symptoms. ICD-10, the latest version of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, still includes somatization syndrome.

Causes

The exact cause of somatic symptom disorder isn't clear, but any of these factors may play a role:

• Genetic and biological factors, such as an increased sensitivity to pain
• Family influence, which may be genetic or environmental, or both
• Personality trait of negativity, which can impact how you identify and perceive illness and bodily symptoms
• Decreased awareness of or problems processing emotions, causing physical symptoms to become the focus rather than the emotional issues
• Learned behavior for example, the attention or other benefits gained from having an illness; or "pain behaviors" in response to symptoms, such as excessive avoidance of activity, which can increase your level of disability

Symptoms 

Somatization disorder is a somatoform disorder. The DSM-IV establishes the following five criteria for the diagnosis of this disorder:

• A history of somatic symptoms prior to the age of 30
• Pain in at least four different sites on the body
• Two gastrointestinal problems other than pain such as vomiting or diarrhea
• One sexual symptom such as lack of interest or erectile dysfunction
• One pseudoneurological symptom similar to those seen in Conversion disorder such as fainting or blindness.

Such symptoms cannot be related to any medical condition. The symptoms do not all have to be occurring at the same time, but may occur over the course of the disorder. If a medical condition is present, then the symptoms must be excessive enough to warrant a separate diagnosis. Two symptoms can not be counted for the same thing e.g.if pain during intercourse is counted as a sexual symptom it can not be counted as a pain symptom. Finally, the symptoms cannot be feigned out of an effort to gain attention or anything else by being sick, and they can not be deliberately induced symptoms.

Diagnosis

Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and probably order some laboratory tests to rule out conditions that may be causing your physical symptoms. They’ll also ask you about your health history.

If test results show that you don’t have a medical condition or illness or that your medical condition doesn’t match the severity of your symptoms, your healthcare provider may refer you to a mental health provider for assessment.

A mental health provider, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, confirms a diagnosis of somatic symptom disorder using specific criteria.

To be diagnosed, a person must have one or more symptoms that cause distress or disrupt daily life for at least six months. They must also have excessive thoughts, feelings or behaviors in response to the symptoms that meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Overly excessive and long-lasting thoughts about the seriousness of the physical symptoms.
• Continuously high levels of anxiety about health or physical symptoms.
• Extreme amounts of time and energy focused on physical symptoms and health concerns.
• People with somatic symptom disorder may have a difficult time accepting that their concerns are excessive.