Symptoms Of Somatization Disorder

                

Somatic symptoms are defined as distressing physical or bodily symptoms, including pain. In somatic symptom disorder (SSD) the responses to somatic symptoms is excessive and causes intense fear, concerns, and disturbances in optimal functioning. There are a number of symptoms that are commonly seen in patients with SSD

Pain symptoms Diffuse pain Joint pain Pain in limbs Headaches	Pseudoneurological symptoms Amnesia Loss of voice Seizures Difficulty with walking Difficulty with swallowing
Reproductive organ symptoms Painful sensations in sex organs/genitals Irregularity in menstrual cycles Excessive menstrual bleeding Pain during sex	Cardiopulmonary symptoms Palpitations Chest pain Dizziness Shortness of breath at rest
Gastrointestinal symptoms Nausea Vomiting Abdominal pain	Other common symptoms Vague food allergies Chronic fatigue Sensitivity to certain chemicals

Treatments

To date, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the best established treatment for a variety of somatoform disorders including somatization disorder.CBT aims to help patients realize their ailments are not catastrophic and to enable them to gradually return to activities they previously engaged in, without fear of “worsening their symptoms.” Consultation and collaboration with the primary care physician also demonstrated some effectiveness.The use of antidepressants is preliminary but does not yet show conclusive evidence.Electroconvulsive shock therapy (ECT) has been used in treating somatization disorder among the elderly; however, the results were still debatable with some concerns around the side effects of using ECT.Overall, psychologists recommend addressing a common difficulty in patients with somatization disorder in the reading of their own emotions. This may be a central feature of treatment; as well as developing a close collaboration between the GP, the patient and the mental health practitioner.