![\"Somatoform](\"http:\/\/drsafehands.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/alexandra-gorn-smuS_jUZa9I-unsplash.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBefore diagnosing Somatoform Disorder, it is, however, important to identify and exclude factitious disorder or malingering where the patient pretends to be sick for attention or sympathy (factitious disorder) or for more physical gains such as financial compensation, avoiding a punishment (malingering). The patient with Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD) does not fake or fabricate a story. Their suffering is real and causes extreme inconvenience to them. The criteria for diagnosing Somatic Symptom Disorders (SSD) are the presence of symptoms for 6 months or more, unexplained physical causes, and having an impact on their day-to-day activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Types of Somatoform Disorders:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n- Somatization Disorder: Also known as Briquet\u2019s Syndrome, it refers to a set of symptoms affecting different parts of the body simultaneously for several years without any explainable cause. Usually, starting before the age of 30, the symptoms affect mainly the gastrointestinal tract, sexual organs, and nervous system with pain in different parts of the body.<\/li>
- Conversion Disorder: The physical symptoms present are of neurological nature such as difficulty in walking, paralysis, seizures, etc but no neurological cause is found. It is called conversion disorder as the psychological problem converts into a physical one. For example, loss of voice when a shy, introverted girl is asked to speak on a stage.<\/li>
- Pain Disorder: As the name suggests, Pain is the main symptom of the patient. The pain could be severe, recurring, on one or multiple parts of the body with no evident cause.<\/li>
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder: The patient is obsessed with the physical appearance of the body and feels the body parts are unattractive or defective. Such patients usually undergo a series of plastic surgeries as a possible treatment for the \u2018defect\u2019.<\/li>
- Hypochondriasis (Illness Anxiety Disorder): It is marked by exaggerated fear of a serious, life-threatening disease. The patient is unreasonably worried about their health.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Causes of Somatoform Disorders<\/h2>\n\n\n\n- Genetic or familial history of psychological illness<\/li>
- Hypersensitivity to pain<\/li>
- Stress and anxiety<\/li>
- Inability to deal with emotional issues<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Signs and Symptoms of SSD:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n- Presence of physical symptoms affecting one or more parts of the body, for more than 6 months.<\/li>
- Excessive worry about one\u2019s health<\/li>
- No trust in medical investigations, doctor\u2019s advice<\/li>
- Exaggerated interpretation of minor body ailments<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Diagnosis of Somatoform Disorders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Since it involves physical signs and symptoms, a thorough medical examination is done to exclude any underlying condition followed by a detailed psychological assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Causes of Somatoform Disorders<\/h2>\n\n\n\n- Genetic or familial history of psychological illness<\/li>
- Hypersensitivity to pain<\/li>
- Stress and anxiety<\/li>
- Inability to deal with emotional issues<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Signs and Symptoms of SSD:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n- Presence of physical symptoms affecting one or more parts of the body, for more than 6 months.<\/li>
- Excessive worry about one\u2019s health<\/li>
- No trust in medical investigations, doctor\u2019s advice<\/li>
- Exaggerated interpretation of minor body ailments<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Diagnosis of Somatoform Disorders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Since it involves physical signs and symptoms, a thorough medical examination is done to exclude any underlying condition followed by a detailed psychological assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Signs and Symptoms of SSD:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n- Presence of physical symptoms affecting one or more parts of the body, for more than 6 months.<\/li>
- Excessive worry about one\u2019s health<\/li>
- No trust in medical investigations, doctor\u2019s advice<\/li>
- Exaggerated interpretation of minor body ailments<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Diagnosis of Somatoform Disorders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Since it involves physical signs and symptoms, a thorough medical examination is done to exclude any underlying condition followed by a detailed psychological assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Diagnosis of Somatoform Disorders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Since it involves physical signs and symptoms, a thorough medical examination is done to exclude any underlying condition followed by a detailed psychological assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n