Somatic symptom disorder refers to extreme concentration on physical symptoms like fatigue or pain. It causes major problems in functioning and emotional distress. You may have another medical condition that is associated with the symptoms of this disorder.
The basic thing about this disorder is that your reaction to the symptoms is not considered normal. You may start thinking worse about the symptoms you are experiencing. As a result, you think about seeking medical care on a frequent basis.
Moreover, you may continue searching about the symptoms you have even when other serious conditions are not associated with your symptoms. You consider your health the main focus of your life that inhibits you sometimes to perform normal life functioning.
It can cause disability. You may suffer from significant physical and emotional distress if you are having somatic symptom disorder. Treatment helps you to get relief from your symptoms. It also enhances your quality of life and helps you to cope with the symptoms.
The common symptom of somatic symptom disorder is pain. You will have excessive feelings, behaviors, and thoughts related to your symptoms that make it difficult for you to do daily life activities.
Sometimes it can cause issues of disabling. These behaviors, thoughts, and feelings include:
- Persistent worries about your potential illness
- Fear about having serious symptoms even without any evidence
- Thinking that the physical sensations you experience are harmful or threatening
- Feeling that your medical evaluation and the treatment you are taking is inadequate
- Having fear that any physical activity may damage your body
- Constantly checking your body for having abnormalities
- Frequent visits to health care that does not provide you relief but may worsen your symptoms
- Being sensitive to the side effects of the medicines you are using
- Being unresponsive to the specific treatment that you are taking
- Experiencing a serious impairment that usually occurs in certain medical conditions
The important thing in somatic symptom disorder is your interpretation and reaction towards specific symptoms and how these symptoms are impacting your life. Physical symptoms can be associated with medical problems.
Talk to your primary care physician to evaluate your condition if you are not sure about the causes of your symptoms. If a primary care physician tells you that you are experiencing a somatic symptom disorder then he can advise you to visit a mental health professional.
Caring For Your Loved One
It is difficult to understand that you do not have any cause which may lead to a life-threatening illness if your physical symptoms are associated with somatic symptom disorder. Symptoms induce distress for the individual who experiences the disorder.
Reassurance does not prove helpful in all cases. Encourage your loved one about the possibility of having any mental health problem. Help him or her to cope with the symptoms response and any disability that can occur. Physical disability can make a person dependent on others.
They may need additional emotional support and physical care. Sometimes caregivers may feel exhausted which causes stress to the relationships and family members of the individual who is experiencing the disorder.
If you feel that you are overwhelmed by the role of caregiver then you can also talk to any mental health professional. They help you to perform the specific role well and address your needs.
Causes
Researchers have not yet verified the exact cause that induces the symptoms of somatic symptom disorder. The following factors may play an important role in developing the symptoms of this disorder.
Biological And Genetic Factors
Some genetic and biological factors can cause the disorders. For example, an individual may become vulnerable to pain sensitivity.
Family Influence
It can be environmental or genetic. Family influence plays a greater role in developing the disorder
Having A Negative Personality Trait
It can impact how you are going to perceive and identify your illness and the specific body symptoms.
Problems Processing Emotions
Your problematic emotions cause the physical symptoms to become the main focus as compared to emotional problems.
Learned Behavior
Learned behavior can enhance the chances of having a long-term illness due to the attention and other benefits that individuals get after having an illness. Concentrate on the advice of your mental health professional for a quick recovery.
These behaviors can cause damage to the body of a person such as excessive avoidance of physical activity can enhance the chances of developing a disability. Do not avoid activities to keep yourself healthy.
