Have you ever felt that even though you go to the doctor and he says you don't have any serious illness, you still feel very sick and have symptoms one after another? Or do you feel a great burden and anxiety even when you have a minor illness? Do these things prevent you from doing your daily tasks properly? If so, the topic we are going to talk about today will be very important to you.
What is ``Somatic Symptom Disorder''?
Simply put, `(Somatic Symptom Disorder - SSD)` is a mental condition in which you suffer excessively and worry about something, even if it is not actually a physical illness, or rather, about something that is minor. What happens in this is that your anxiety and fear cause physical symptoms to appear, or make existing symptoms worse. This can disrupt your daily life and reduce your enjoyment of life.
The important thing is, these people are not acting. They are really experiencing that pain, that discomfort. But the reason for it is more related to the functioning of the mind than to a serious illness in the body. These people go to the doctors all the time, get tests done, but they don't get peace of mind.
What is the difference between `(Somatic Symptom Disorder)` and `(Illness Anxiety Disorder)`?
Now you might be wondering if this is the same as `(Illness Anxiety Disorder)`. The two are a little different. A person with `(Illness Anxiety Disorder)` often doesn't have major physical symptoms, but they constantly think that they are going to get some serious illness, or they are extremely afraid that they already have an illness, and that's what they think about. But in `(Somatic Symptom Disorder), the physical symptoms are actually felt, and that's what they are most worried and anxious about.
What is the difference between `(Conversion Disorder)` and `(Somatic Symptom Disorder)`?
The same is true for `(Conversion Disorder - Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder)`. In this, due to a problem in the functioning of the nervous system (but not due to physical damage to the nerves), symptoms such as inability to walk, inability to speak, and loss of vision occur. However, in `(Conversion Disorder)`, excessive worry and distress about the physical symptoms that arise is not a main feature. However, in `(Somatic Symptom Disorder)` , the main thing is excessive worry about the physical symptoms and the stress that arises because of it.
Who does this condition affect? How common is it?
This ``(Somatic Symptom Disorder)`` condition can affect children, young people, and adults. Most often, the symptoms of this condition begin to appear before the age of 30. It should be noted that women are about ten times more likely to see this condition than men.
This is not that rare. Doctors say that between 5% and 7% of the adult population may have this condition.
What are the signs and symptoms of `(Somatic Symptom Disorder)`?
A person with this condition may experience a variety of physical symptoms. The most common symptoms are:
- Body aches (this is the most commonly reported symptom). It could be anything from a headache, stomach ache, to joint pain.
- Tiredness, a feeling of lifelessness.
- Difficulty breathing (sometimes called ``Dyspnea'', which means feeling suffocated or having difficulty breathing).
These symptoms may be mild, or they may be severe. There may be one or more symptoms. There may be a medical reason for this, or there may be no obvious reason.
However, in addition to these physical symptoms, the main characteristics of ``Somatic Symptom Disorder`` are the way these people think, behave, and feel in response to them. That is:
- They become excessively afraid and anxious about their physical symptoms.
- Even a minor symptom is thought to be a sign of a fatal illness. Imagine, if you get a minor stomach ache, you'll be worried for days, thinking, 'Oh, I don't know if I've even got cancer.'
- They go to the doctors and get tests and exams, but when the results come back, they don't believe them. They think, "The doctor can't diagnose my illness."
- I feel like the doctor doesn't really care about my symptoms.
- Switching from one doctor to another, or getting medication from several doctors at the same time (this is also called `doctor shopping`).
- They spend a lot of time and effort thinking about their health problems and finding solutions to them.
- I always seem to be very sensitive to the side effects of medication. I always say, 'Oh, doctor, after taking that medicine, this happened to me, this happened to me.'
- They start to depend on others. They ask for help, for emotional support. They get angry if their needs are not met.
- Thoughts, feelings, and behaviors about their physical symptoms make it impossible to perform daily tasks properly.
Importantly, between 30% and 60% of people with Somatic Symptom Disorder may also have co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety and/or depression.
What are the reasons for this?
Why does this happen? Researchers say that there are several possible causes. These include genetic influences, environmental factors, and psychological factors. Some of the main causes identified are:
- Physical or sexual abuse during childhood. These types of things can cause emotional trauma.
- The inability to understand and manage one's emotions properly during childhood. This can sometimes be due to things like `Parental Neglect` or `Lack of Emotional Closeness`, which is a lack of affection, attention, or emotional closeness from parents.
- Being excessively anxious about changes in your body and bodily processes, constantly wondering if you're going to get sick.
How is this diagnosed?
When you go to a doctor, he or she will first examine you (`Physical Exam`), and may also order blood tests, urine tests, etc. (`Laboratory Tests`). This is done to see if there is another physical cause for the symptoms you are experiencing. He or she will also ask about your previous illnesses (`Health History`).
After these tests, if it is confirmed that you do not have a serious physical illness, or if no medical cause can be found for the severity of your symptoms, your doctor may refer you to a mental health counselor , such as a psychiatrist or psychologist .
A mental health counselor will determine whether you have a condition called ``Somatic Symptom Disorder`` based on specific criteria. To diagnose this, a person must:
1. You must have one or more physical symptoms that interfere with your daily life and cause you distress for at least six months .
2. Also, there must be excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors in response to those symptoms. That is, at least one of the following must be present:
- Excessive and prolonged thinking about the severity of physical symptoms.
- Having a persistently high level of anxiety about health or physical symptoms.
- Spending too much time and energy on physical symptoms and health problems.
For people with this `(Somatic Symptom Disorder)`, it can sometimes be difficult to accept that their worries and fears are "too much."
Is there a treatment for this?
Yes, absolutely. The main goal of treatment is to control the physical symptoms while also treating the mental symptoms. This involves talking therapies (psychotherapy) and sometimes medication for the underlying anxiety and depression .
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a commonly used type of psychotherapy. It helps people change their thinking patterns and behaviors, thereby changing the way they feel. Under the guidance of a psychiatrist or psychologist, CBT can help people deal with anxiety and stress and cope more effectively with different situations.
If you have `(Somatic Symptom Disorder), `(CBT)` can help with things like:
- Assess your feelings and beliefs about your physical symptoms and overall health.
- Find ways to reduce stress and anxiety about your symptoms.
- Stop obsessing over your physical symptoms.
- Identify what things make your physical symptoms worse.
- Even if you have pain or other symptoms, find ways to stay active and social.
- Do your daily tasks better.
Sometimes your doctor may prescribe medications such as antidepressants . In addition to improving mood, these have been reported to help relieve symptoms such as pain, fatigue, joint pain, and insomnia.
What are the risk factors for this condition?
Studies have identified several risk factors that contribute to the development of this condition. Examples include:
- Excessive attention to bodily sensations.
- Substance Use Disorder.
- Alcohol Use Disorder.
- Neglect during childhood.
- Being subjected to physical and sexual abuse.
- Chaotic lifestyle/Trauma.
- Suffering from long-term illnesses during childhood (`Chronic illness during childhood`).
- Having other mental health conditions, especially anxiety or depression.
- Having certain personality disorders, for example, Avoidant Personality Disorder, Paranoid Personality Disorder, and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder.
Psychotherapy can help people with SSD learn other ways to deal with stress and triggers that increase symptoms. This can help reduce the intensity of their symptoms.
What is the prognosis for this condition?
Somatic Symptom Disorder is likely to be a long-term (chronic) condition. That is, it can be a condition where symptoms come and go, with periods of remission, lasting from a few months to years.
If left untreated, Somatic Symptom Disorder can cause the following:
- Limitation of daily activities.
- Inability to get a job or reduced efficiency at work.
- Psychological Disability.
- Decreased quality of life.
- Alcohol and drug addiction.
But the good news is that with treatment, many people can experience a cure or significant reduction in their symptoms. So it's important to stay hopeful.
How do I take care of myself?
If you have been diagnosed with Somatic Symptom Disorder, following these steps will help with your treatment and recovery:
- Build a good, collaborative, and trusting relationship with your primary healthcare provider, the doctor you see regularly.
- Keep the same primary care physician. This can help you avoid unnecessary tests and treatments.
- See your doctor regularly to see how you are coping with your physical symptoms.
- See your mental health professional (psychologist or counselor) regularly to manage and monitor your mental health symptoms, such as excessive anxiety and fear.
When should I see a doctor about this?
It is very important to see your primary healthcare provider and/or mental health professional if you have any of these:
- If you feel so anxious about your physical symptoms that you can't do anything about them, or that they interfere with your daily activities.
- If you have symptoms of anxiety or depression (feeling sad all the time, having no interest in anything, having trouble sleeping, not being able to eat, etc.).
The most important thing to remember is that Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD) is a mental health condition. Like all mental health conditions, seeking help as soon as symptoms appear can help reduce the disruption to your life. Mental health professionals can provide treatment plans to help you manage your thoughts and behaviors.
So, what do we take home from this story?
Simply put, ``Somatic Symptom Disorder`` is a condition in which you are excessively worried and anxious about physical symptoms, even if there is no major illness in your body. This is not something you imagine, it is something you actually feel. The reason for this is more related to the mind than the body.
- If you have symptoms like these, meaning that along with physical symptoms, you are experiencing extreme fear and anxiety about it, which is disrupting your daily activities, don't be shy or afraid to see a doctor or a mental health counselor .
- With proper treatment (especially psychotherapy such as CBT and, if necessary, medication) and support, this condition can be well managed.
- You are not alone, other people have experienced these things too. The most important thing is to ask for help and seek treatment. There are many ways to find relief.
` Somatic symptom disorder, physical symptoms, mental health, anxiety, depression, CBT, psychotherapy
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න