Somatic Symptom Disorders

Origin: The greek root ‘Soma’ (meaning body), combined with the suffix ‘-tic’ meaning related to. The combination means ‘Related to the body’.

  • Individuals with Somatic symptom disorder tend to showcase multiple somatic symptoms at once, significant enough to impact daily functions.

  • Symptoms can be located locally (i.e. one part of the body) or diffused (i.e. the entire body)

  • Patients generally present significant worry about their illness, interpreting their symptoms as harmful or threatening.

Illness Anxiety Disorder (previously known as hypochondriasis) is characterized by an excessive preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness, the severity of the anxiety often disproportionate to their actual medical diagnosis, and patients may frequently seek medical reassurance, yet continue to fear that they have a serious condition despite negative test results.

  • Medical diagnosis are extremely disproportionate if present

  • “Doctor shopping” is common.

  • Two types (Care-seeking and Care-avoidant)

Conversion Disorder (Previously known as Hysteria) is defined by one or more symptoms of altered voluntary motor or sensory functions that are not explained by a neurological disease.

Symptoms include

  • Weakness or paralysis

  • Abnormal movements (I.E. Tremors)

  • Gait abnormalities (I.E. Limping)

  • Altered skin sensations (Reduced or no feeling)

  • Vision or hearing impairments

Factitious disorder (Formerly known as munchausen syndrome) is characterized by the afflicted acting as if they have an illness by purposefully producing, feigning, or exaggerating symptoms. Can be imposed on self or someone in the afflicted’s care.

Treatment options for SSD’s

Among the most effective treatment approaches is the biopsychosocial model, as it takes into account the biological, psychological, and social factors that could influence the illness and presented symptoms.

Psychodynamic Therapy

  • Interpersonal psychotherapy is effective because of its focus on the relationship between self experience and the unconscious, and how these facts contribute to body dysfunction.

    • Shown to reduce anxiety, depression and improve the quality of life immediately following treatment

    • Effects diminish over time

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Traditional CBT methods have been employed to address the cognitive attributes and maladaptive coping strategies that are responsible for the development of the disorders.

    • Goals of CBT treatment are the acceptance of the condition, addressing avoidance behaviors, and meditating expectations of treatment.

    • Behavioral therapies have also been shown to effectively manage complex chronic somatic symptoms, particularly pain. The behavioral approach involves bringing attention to physiological symptoms, the individual's attribution to those symptoms, and the subsequent anxiety produced by the negative attributions.