How to Get Rid of Somatoform Disorder

Somatoform Disorder - Symptoms, Treatment, Medications, of Somatoform Disorder

Introduced in DSM-III for a group of disorders characterized by physical symptoms that are not explained by organic factors. Hence also somatoform symptoms.

Physical symptoms that seem as if they are part of a general medical condition, however no general medical condition, other mental disorder, or substance is present. In this case psychological conflicts may becoming translated into physical problems or complaints. With the number one complaint being of some type of physical symptom, it is no wonder this disorder is often discovered in a general medical setting.

Somatoform Disorder	Short Description
List of Somatoform Disorders
Somatization Disorder	Somatization disorder is a chronic condition in which there are numerous physical complaints that are caused by psychological problems and for which no underlying physical problem can be identified.
Conversion Disorder	Conversion disorder is a psychiatric condition in which emotional distress or unconscious conflict are expressed through physical symptoms.
Undifferentiated Somatoform Disorder	Somatoform Disorders are those conditions that are suggestive of a physical disorder but upon examination cannot be accounted for by a medical disorder, a substance or other mental disorder.
Hypochondriasis	Hypochondriasis is characterized by severe anxiety over the possibility of having a disease.
Pain Disorder	A disorder in which pain in one or more anatomic sites is exclusively or predominantly caused by psychologic factors, is the main focus of the patient's attention, and results in significant distress and dysfunction.
Somatoform Disorder NOS	Somatoform Disorder Not Otherwise Specified NOS is used for patients that have symptoms that are suggestive of somatoform disorder but do not meet the specific diagnostic criteria for one of the disorders, have a symptom not covered in one of the disorders, or have not met the 6-month criteria.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder	Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a mental disorder defined as a preoccupation with a perceived defect in one's appearance.

Classification of Somatoform disorder and dissociative disorders

DSM-IV has entirely separate sections for dissociative disorders and somatoform disorders. ICD-10 includes somatoform disorder and dissociative (conversion) disorder as two major categories within the wider chapter of neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders.

The principal difference between the classification is that whereas in ICD-10 conversion disorder is included with dissociative disorders, DSM-IV states that conversion disorder is placed in the 'somatoform section' emphasizing the importance of considering neurological or other general medical conditions in the differential diagnosis.

Facts and Tips about Somatization Disorder

Another name of somatization disorder is also called as Briquet's disorder and this is a psychological disorder in this person has physical complaints which has no existence.
Somatizaton disorder is found in children and adults.
Somatization disorder creates problem in physical and social relationships.
Vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, sexual dysfunction and double vision these are the symptoms correlated with somatization disorder.
Congnitive therapy and education on social skills these two techniques are useful to overcome somatization disorder.
Anti-depressant and few psychiatric drugs are helpful to control symptoms of this disorder.
Family support is very important for patient of somatization disorder.