Somatic Symptom Disorder – Symptoms and Causes

ByJanis Updated

Overview

Somatic symptom disorder involves an unhealthy level of focus on physical symptoms like pain or tiredness. This focus causes serious emotional distress and makes daily activities difficult.

People with this disorder may have a real medical condition causing their symptoms, but their reaction to these symptoms is not typical.

Those affected often assume the worst about their physical symptoms. They repeatedly seek medical help and continue looking for answers even after doctors rule out major illnesses.

Health worries can become the center of their lives, making normal functioning challenging and sometimes leading to disability.

The combination of physical symptoms and emotional distress can significantly impact quality of life. The good news is that effective treatments exist that can:

  • Reduce symptom severity
  • Develop healthier coping strategies
  • Improve overall functioning

With proper care, people with somatic symptom disorder can learn to manage their condition and reclaim their wellbeing.

Signs and Symptoms

Somatic symptom disorder can cause various physical symptoms that cause worry and distress. These symptoms can range from specific feelings like pain or trouble breathing to general issues like tiredness or weakness.

What makes this condition unique is not just the physical symptoms themselves, but the person’s extreme thoughts, feelings, and behaviors about these symptoms. These reactions cause significant problems in daily life and can be disabling.

Pain is the most common symptom. Other symptoms vary in type and severity. They might have no identifiable medical cause, or they could be related to an actual medical condition but seem more severe than expected.

People with this disorder might:

  • Worry constantly about possible illness
  • See normal body sensations as signs of serious disease
  • Fear symptoms are serious without evidence
  • Think physical sensations are dangerous
  • Feel medical care has been inadequate
  • Fear physical activity will harm their body
  • Check their body repeatedly for problems
  • Visit healthcare providers frequently without relief
  • React poorly to medical treatments
  • Experience more severe limitations than expected from their condition

When to Visit a Healthcare Provider

If you’re experiencing physical symptoms and aren’t sure of the cause, it’s important to see your primary care provider first. They can evaluate whether your symptoms have a medical explanation.

If they believe somatic symptom disorder might be present, they can refer you to a mental health professional for proper assessment and treatment.

Supporting Someone with the Condition

When someone experiences physical symptoms from somatic symptom disorder, it can be challenging for them to accept that a serious illness isn’t the cause. Remember that these symptoms create real distress, and simple reassurance often isn’t enough.

Gently encourage your loved one to consider seeing a mental health professional. These experts can teach helpful ways to cope with reactions to symptoms and manage resulting limitations.

Physical limitations from the disorder may make the person dependent on others for care. This can:

  • Create extra responsibilities for caregivers
  • Cause stress on family relationships
  • Lead to emotional exhaustion

If you’re caring for someone with this condition and feel overwhelmed, consider speaking with a mental health professional to address your own needs. Taking care of yourself is essential when supporting someone with this disorder.

Causes

Scientists don’t fully understand what causes somatic symptom disorder, but several factors likely contribute:

  • Genetic and biological factors: Some people may have a naturally higher sensitivity to pain or physical sensations.

  • Family influences: Both inherited traits and household environment can shape how someone responds to physical symptoms.

  • Negative personality traits: People who tend to view situations negatively may interpret normal body sensations as concerning symptoms.

  • Emotional processing difficulties: When someone struggles to recognize or process emotions, physical symptoms can become the main focus.

  • Learned behaviors: People might unintentionally develop habits that reinforce symptoms, such as:

    • Gaining attention or support when showing signs of illness
    • Avoiding activities due to symptoms, which can increase disability over time

These factors often work together rather than a single cause creating the condition.

Risk Factors

Several factors may increase the chance of developing somatic symptom disorder:

  • Mental health conditions like anxiety or depression
  • Current or previous medical issues
  • Family history of certain diseases
  • Stressful events or exposure to violence
  • History of trauma, especially childhood abuse
  • Lower education level and socioeconomic status

These factors don’t necessarily cause the disorder, but they may make someone more vulnerable to experiencing ongoing physical symptoms without clear medical causes.

Complications

Somatic symptom disorder can lead to several serious problems in a person’s life. These issues affect many areas:

  • Health decline and overall physical weakness
  • Daily functioning difficulties, including physical limitations
  • Relationship strain with family and friends
  • Workplace challenges or job loss
  • Mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and personality disorders
  • Higher suicide risk connected to depression
  • Money problems from frequent medical visits and treatments

People with this disorder often face a challenging cycle where symptoms and life problems reinforce each other.

Stopping Unwanted Symptoms

Getting ahead of somatic symptom disorder is possible with these helpful steps:

  • Seek help for mental health concerns right away if you experience anxiety or depression.

  • Understand your body’s stress signals. Learn how they affect you physically.

  • Practice regular relaxation techniques. You can try deep breathing, meditation, or gentle yoga.

  • Get early treatment if you notice symptoms developing. This can prevent them from getting worse.

  • Follow your treatment plan consistently. This will help you avoid setbacks.

Learning to recognize when stress is affecting your body can make a big difference. Early intervention is key to preventing symptoms from interfering with your daily life and relationships.

Health Writer

Janis's areas of expertise include nutrition, exercise, stress management, and mental health. She is passionate about educating and empowering people to take control of their health and make positive changes that can last a lifetime. Janis believes that small, sustainable changes are the key to long-term success, and she works with her clients to develop personalized plans that fit their individual needs and lifestyles.