Somatization disorder Health Article

Definition

Somatization disorder is a long-term (chronic) condition in which a person has physical symptoms that are caused by psychological problems, and no physical problem can be found.

Alternative Names

Briquet syndrome

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The disorder usually begins before the age of 30 and occurs more often in women than in men. The disorder is more common in people with irritable bowel syndrome and chronic pain.

Physicians often dismiss patients with somatization disorder as having problems that are "all in their head." However, as researchers study the connections between the brain, the digestive system, and the immune system, somatization disorders are becoming better understood. They should not be seen as "faked" conditions.

Symptoms

People with this disorder have many physical complaints that last for years and can involve any body system. Most often, the complaints involve chronic pain and problems with the digestive system, nervous system, and reproductive system.

The symptoms are generally severe enough to interfere with work and relationships, and lead the person to visit the doctor and take medication. The person often has a lifelong history of "sickliness." However, even after a thorough evaluation, no physical cause is ever found to explain the symptoms. Stress often worsens the symptoms.

Some of the many symptoms that can occur with somatization disorder include:

• Abdominal pain
• Amnesia
• Back pain
• Bloating
• Chest pain
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty swallowing
• Dizziness
• Excessive menstrual bleeding
• Headaches
• Impotence
• Irregular menstruation
• Joint pain
• Nausea
• Pain during intercourse
• Pain during urination
• Painful menstruation
• Pain in the legs or arms
• Palpitations
• Paralysis or muscle weakness
• Sexual apathy
• Shortness of breath
• Vision changes
• Vomiting

It is important to note that many of these symptoms also occur in other medical and psychiatric disorders. If you experience any of these symptoms, work with your doctor to find possible causes before a diagnosis of somatization disorder is made.