somatization disorder

What is Somatization Disorder?

Somatization disorder is an outdated term that is now replaced with somatic symptom disorder (SSD) under DSM-5 criteria. Somatization disorder primarily presents as one or more physical symptoms along with extreme worry, emotional distress, and behavioral changes related to those symptoms. Often, the distressing bodily complaints that are being reported do not have any biological basis. Imagine yourself feeling a constant pain in your stomach, but your reports usually come back normal. This doesn’t mean the symptoms are intentional or misdiagnosed; rather, it’s plausible that the feelings of emotional stress could be the source of the bodily discomfort.

Once considered an uncommon condition with less than 1% prevalence as per DSM-IV criteria, somatic symptom disorder is now estimated to affect 5-7% of people in the world after the alteration of somatization definition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5. Quite surprisingly, females tend to be more afflicted by somatization disorder than males, with a prevalence ratio of 10:1.

Mid Cities Psychiatry realizes your struggle of facing somatic symptoms and offers the most comprehensive treatment approaches for somatization disorder in Euless, TX.

Somatization Disorder Symptoms

Symptoms can differ greatly, and not everyone is likely to experience all of them. Common somatic complaints include:

Chronic pain in joints, muscles, or the back
Severe abdominal pain with nausea, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation
Breathlessness
Increased heart rate
Feeling extremely tired
Sensory issues like blurred vision, tingling, or numbness in hands or feet
Neurological symptoms such as headache, tremors, dizziness

These somatic symptoms severely impact a person’s quality of life, making it challenging for them to work and maintain healthy relationships. Patients are prone to psychological pain, manifesting as.

Experiencing extreme depression or anxiety due to physical symptoms
Increased medical visits for accurate diagnosis
Keep demanding diagnostic tests and examinations from a healthcare provider
Going to multiple physicians to seek treatment
Heightened sensitivity to medication side effects, often leading to frequent changes in prescription

Causes of Somatic Symptom Disorder

Somatization disorder is thought to be rooted in a raised awareness of several bodily sensations that are misinterpreted as indicators of certain medical conditions. What exactly leads to somatic symptom disorder remains a mystery, yet various risk factors point to its development, which include:

Having a family history of somatic illnesses
Having an underlying medical condition that triggers the symptoms
Traumatic events, especially in childhood
Sexual abuse
Alcoholism or other substance abuse
Having psychiatric disorders, e.g., anxiety, depression, personality disorders
Psychosocial factors such as unemployment, financial burden, and being surrounded by toxic people

Somatic Symptom Disorder Treatment

At Mid Cities Psychiatry, we provide expert, evidence-based treatment for Somatization Disorder, integrating advanced psychotherapy, pharmacological management, and holistic care to ensure optimal patient outcomes and long-term symptom relief.

Medications

Antidepressants
Anti-anxiety medications

Psychotherapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy CBT

FAQs

Is somatic symptom disorder the same as hypochondria?

These are not the same disorders. While hypochondria also manifests as extreme emotional distress about having or developing some serious bodily illness, it differs in a way that patients experience only minimal somatic symptoms.

Can somatization be cured?

Somatization Disorder does not have a definitive “cure” in the traditional sense, but it is a highly manageable condition, and patients can achieve significant symptom reduction and improved functionality.

What is the somatic symptom disorder prognosis?

The prognosis remains good, assuming compliance, with an emphasis on psychotherapy, stress management, and other forms of patient-centered care.

What is somatic anxiety?

This term is also typically used for somatization disorder, where the primary reason for being anxious is the somatic complaints, not the mental distress.

How are somatic delusions and somatic disorder differentiated?

Somatic delusions are the fixed, false beliefs that one holds concerning some imaginary disease that is affecting their body or bodily functions, for example, the belief of being infested with certain parasites. Unlike this, somatic disorder is the disproportionate concern, anxiety, and distress that results from the somatic complaints irrespective of the pathological condition.

What Our Patients Say

Real Stories, Real Recovery

I’ve been going to Dr. Kazi since 2015 and she has helped me get through a lot of my hardest times. When I came to her in 2015 my mind had taken over my body and my life. She got me through it. She is caring, professional and excellent at her God-given gift as a Psychiatrist. Thanks, Dr. Kazi for giving a part of yourself to many daily. You are a true Blessing to many.

I have been a patient for two years. Every staff member has been outstanding. Amanda Bell is a blessing. She is compassionate, and sincere, listens intently and is always able to calm me and help me focus and get the most from my treatments. Dr Kazi has been available whenever I need help. She is on top of my care and aggressively monitors my progress. I came to her suffering major depression and overall a mess. My mental health has substantially improved under her care and she is continuing to help me reach and maintain even higher levels of health. The office does have strict policies but everything is clear and patients are well informed at all times. The guidelines are appropriate and reasonable. I highly recommend this mental health clinic

Fantastic staff and providers, excellent services, amazing care, compassionate professionals, timely prescription refills, and a calm atmosphere. What more could you ask for?

I have had amazing experiences with this business, both on the medical and business side. Any issues I've experienced with billing have been handled gracefully and with patience; the staff are very easy to talk to and are understanding. I LOVE PA Hofer; she (and other staff) are always very quick to answer online Portal questions, are very flexible with visits, understand when it comes to medication costs/changes, and go the extra step when it comes to evidence-based practice.

I've been taking my mom to Dr. Kazi for the past 17 months and we still go. She is an amazing physician and her staff is very warm and welcoming. She has helped my mom when mom needed her the most. If it was not for Dr. Kazi's, I don't know what would have happened to my mom. I am so grateful to her. The bonus is her staff is awesome. Very response to emails and phone calls. Amanda is amazing!! I can't thank Dr. Kazi enough!!

Other Mental Health Conditions

We provide a comprehensive care provision for the most common mental issues people struggle with, such as PTSD, ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, sleep disorder, schizophrenia, and numerous other mental health conditions.