Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD) is characterized by a pattern of recurrent, multiple somatic complaints that cannot be explained fully by any known general medical condition or the direct effects of a substance. If a medical condition is present, the symptoms or associated dysfunction are in excess of what would be expected given the history or medical findings.
Formerly known as somatization or somatoform disorder, SSD is characterized by the presence of multiple physical symptoms throughout many organ systems in the body, without any demonstrated organic origin.
The symptoms begin before 30 years of age, cause significant impairment in the person’s overall level of functioning, and are not feigned or intentionally produced.
The person presents with a specific constellation of symptoms, including pain symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, one symptom, and neurological symptoms. The most common symptoms observed are:
The course of illness is prolonged and new symptoms develop throughout the course of the lifespan.
SSD is characterized by an onset at an early age, usually late teens to early 20s, and is more common in women. Doctors need to perform many tests to rule out other possible causes before diagnosing SSD. This disorder is a relatively rare phenomenon with recent community studies citing prevalence rates between 0.4% and 0.7% worldwide.
People with SSD are not faking their symptoms. The distress they experience from pain and other problems they experience are real, regardless of whether or not a physical explanation can be found. And the distress from symptoms significantly affects daily functioning. The diagnosis of SSD can create a lot of stress and frustration for patients. They may feel unsatisfied if there's no better physical explanation for their symptoms or if they are told their level of distress about a physical illness is excessive. Stress often leads patients to become more worried about their health, and this creates a vicious cycle that can persist for years
Many people who are thought to have SSD also have other mental health problems such as depression, anxiety or substance abuse. Treatment of these other mental health problems may improve the situation.
If the person can be convinced that mental factors may contribute to, or cause, the physical symptoms then they may accept a talking treatment. The focus of treatment is then on improving daily functioning, not on managing symptoms. Stress reduction is often an important part of getting better. Counseling for family and friends may also be useful.
Group therapy aimed at coping with the stress of a chronic medical condition has also been recommended. In a group setting, these individuals are said to be capable of recognizing and confronting this pattern of somatizing to an extent not possible in individual therapy. In addition, they may benefit from the support of others with similar conditions.