Somatic symptom & related disorders

There are a wide variety of psychiatric terms for patients who have symptoms for which no organic cause can be found:

Somatisation disorder

Somatic symptom disorder (SSD)

• one or more distressing physical SYMPTOMS (e.g. pain, fatigue)

• excessive thoughts, anxiety or behaviours related to the symptoms

• symptoms may or may not have an identifiable medical cause

• persistent (typically ≥6 months)

• patient remains preoccupied despite appropriate medical evaluation and reassurance; in other words, patient refuses to accept reassurance or negative test results

• multiple physical SYMPTOMS present for at least 2 years

Diagnostic criteria for somatic symptom disorder

• One or more somatic symptoms that cause distress or significantly disrupt daily life
• Excessive thoughts or behaviors related to the somatic symptoms, as demonstrated by the following:
  • Unwarranted & persistent thoughts about the seriousness of the condition
  • Persistent anxiety about health or symptoms
  • Too much time & energy dedicated to these symptoms
• Symptoms persist for ≥6 months (not all symptoms may be present simultaneously)

Illness anxiety disorder

• preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious DISEASE, e.g. cancer
• minimal or absent physical symptoms
• high levels of health anxiety (e.g. repeated checking or avoidance)