What It's Actually Like to Have a Somatoform Disorder
An illness or pain with no identifiable cause can be scary and distressing.
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Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
Imagine experiencing clear signs of physical symptoms and discomfort—pain, GI issues, trouble breathing, sexual issues, or any other physical ailment—and being told that there is nothing medically wrong with you. Yet your symptoms persist, you are super stressed about it all, and you feel isolated and alone in your experience. This is what it’s often like to have a somatoform disorder.
Somatoform disorders are also known as somatic symptom disorder (SSD). According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), somatic system disorder is defined as when you have at least one physical symptom that causes you significant distress and makes it hard to function in your day-to-day life.
You are not making up your symptoms and though you may have other diagnosable medical conditions, your symptoms aren’t explained by these conditions. In order to be diagnosed with somatic system disorder, you need to have had your symptoms for at least six months.
What to Know About Somatoform Disorder
Having a somatoform disorder can be lonely, and you may feel like you’re the only one dealing with this. Here’s the thing, though. Somatoform disorders are actually pretty common. About 5-7% of folks have it, though it’s much higher among women, with a female/male ratio of 10 to 1. You can experience somatoform disorder anytime in life—when you're a kid, a teen, or an adult.
One of the frustrating things about somatoform disorders is that the exact causes aren’t really clear. However, there are certain risk factors that may make you more likely to experience it. For example, people who have conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fibromyalgia, or chronic fatigue syndrome are more likely to have somatoform disorder.
Here’s else to what to know about causes and risk factors:
It usually begins before the age of 30
It’s more likely to affect women than men
Having a generally negative outlook may increase your risk
Being more sensitive to pain than others can increase your risk
Genetics and family history may play a role
Having a history of physical or sexual abuse increases risk
Takeaway
What exactly are the symptoms of somatoform disorder? Basically, if you have this condition, you will experience symptoms of illness—and the symptoms will be real and felt by you. It’s just that a medical professional will not be able to determine what exactly is causing the symptoms.
“Somatoform disorders involve physical symptoms that are real and distressing, but they don't have a clear medical explanation,” explains Jennifer Worley, LMFT, a licensed marriage and family therapist at First Light Recovery.
Somatoform disorder symptoms vary from person to person but may include:
Pain
Exhaustion
Weakness
Shortness of breath
Gastrointestinal upset
Stress and anxiety about your symptoms
Recurring thoughts and worries about your health
Trouble functioning as a result of your symptoms and worries
Related Conditions
Somatoform disorder is a condition unto itself, but there are several different conditions and disorders that are similar or are related to it. Here’s what to know about some of the types of disorders that are related to somatoform disorder.
Functional Neurologic Disorder
Functional neurologic disorder used to be referred to as conversion disorder. In essence, it’s when you are experiencing neurological symptoms that don’t meet criteria for a known neurological symptom, says Mariya Javed-Payne, MSW, LICSW, a somatic psychotherapist. “Symptoms can include paralysis, psychogenic seizures, blindness, difficulty swallowing or speaking, or fainting,” she describes. “There may have been a preceding stressful event to the onset of symptoms.”
Illness Anxiety Disorder
Illness anxiety disorder was previously known as hypochondriasis, and colloquially referred to as hypochondria. The disorder “describes those who have high levels of anxiety and fixation on having a serious and undiagnosed medical condition,” says Javed-Payne.
You may or may not be experiencing physical symptoms with this condition. “These individuals may frequent doctor’s offices and emergency rooms due to worrying about having an illness despite being reassured that there is no underlying condition,” Javed-Payne describes.
Related: What Is Hysteria?
Living With a Somatoform Disorder
Having a somatoform disorder can seriously impact many aspects of your life, Worley says. “Living with a somatoform disorder can be like carrying a heavy, invisible backpack,” she describes. “Emotionally, it's draining and anxiety-inducing. Physically, the symptoms are real and often painful.” Somatoform disorder can have a ripple effect, Worley explains, and can end up affecting many aspects of your life, including work and social interactions.
Let’s take a look at how the disorder can affect different aspects of your life.
Physical Challenges
The physical manifestations of somatoform disorder are real, and can be intense at times. According to Javed-Payne, it’s common for people with somatoform conditions to experience pain, GI troubles, and even neurological issues like fainting or paralysis.
“Symptoms are not being feigned,” Javed-Payne reminds. They are felt as completely authentic by the person who’s experiencing them. “Symptoms presenting as physical responses can be debilitating and affect the person’s daily responsibilities, work, family, and social life,” she says.
Social Challenges
It’s common for people who have somatoform disorders to feel more and more secluded from friends and family who don’t understand what they are going through. The condition can absolutely strain relationships, says Javed-Payne. “Preoccupation with symptoms as well as anxiety about not knowing the cause can lead to withdrawal from relationships,” she explains. “Because it is not a widely understood condition, it can be very isolating and further exacerbate symptoms.
Emotional Challenges
The emotions you may feel if you have somatoform disorder can be intense, and people may experience a variety of feelings, including fear, stress, sadness, and anger. You may ruminate on your feelings, and have trouble stopping the challenging thoughts and feelings from rearing their ugly heads.
One emotion that many experience is the feeling of being isolated and misunderstood. “It's a lonely road, as others might not understand why you're ill when doctors say you're fine,” Worley describes.
Impacts on Daily Life
Besides physical health, emotional health, and relationships, living with somatoform disorder can impact other areas of your life as well. First, you may find yourself visiting numerous doctors and may find yourself saddled with increased medical bills, Javed-Payne. You may also find that the disorder makes it difficult to work, she says, as the physical symptoms can sometimes be severe enough to impact job responsibilities.
Related: How to Manage Anger and Stress
Coping Strategies and Self-Help
We get it. Living with somatoform disorder is not easy at all. But you should know that help is available. There are many therapists and healthcare professionals who understand the condition and can help you.
“In managing and coping with this disorder, it's important to establish a trusting relationship with a healthcare professional who acknowledges your symptoms and works with you,” Worley shares. In particular, psychotherapy, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can be a powerful tool for managing the condition, she says. CBT “helps in understanding the connection between mind and body and in developing coping strategies,” she says.
Relaxation exercises, meditation, and stress management are helpful, Worley adds. There are no FDA-approved medications for somatic symptom disorders, although antidepressants may be used to treat psychiatric comorbidities. Antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) may help SSD although side effects can be an additional somatic concern.
Prevention and Outlook
Here’s the tough news: somatoform disorder can be an ongoing challenge, with some research finding that up to 90% of people will have cases of somatic syndrome disorder for five years or more. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t ways to cope with the disorder. Therapy can help, as can having an understanding network to keep you grounded.
While you can’t always prevent somatoform disorders, there are things you can do to lessen the hold it has on your life. “While preventing somatoform disorders outright can be challenging, early intervention and managing stress or trauma can help,” Worley assures. “It's about building resilience and a strong support network, and seeking help when emotional distress first appears, rather than letting it manifest physically.”
Related: The Best Online Group Therapy of 2024
The Bottom Line
Probably the hardest part of living with somatoform disorder is how unheard and misunderstood you might feel. When people describe life with a somatoform condition, “lonely” is one of the first words that pop up. The reality is, though, that you are not alone—not at all. Not only do many folks live with this condition, but there is help out there for you. You don’t have to navigate these choppy waters alone. Please reach out to a healthcare provider or therapist for support. You deserve it.
Read the original article on Verywell Mind.
