Somatic Symptom Disorder

Definition: It occurs in individuals experiencing exaggerated and disrupted physical symptoms in multiple areas of the body, accompanied by exaggerated thoughts impairing activities of daily living.

Symptoms: Muscle and joint pain, Low back pain, Tension headache, Chronic fatique, Non-cardiac chest pain, Palpitation, Non-ulcer dyspepsia, Irritable bowel, Dizziness, Insomnia

Treatment: You should have one primary care provider. You may also see a therapist. It's good to see a therapist who has works with treating SSD. take antidepressants to help relieve anxiety and depression. Observe your feelings and beliefs about health, Find ways to reduce stress and anxiety, Stop focusing as much on your physical symptoms, Recognize what seems to increase the pain, Learn how to cope with the pain or other symptoms, Stay active even if still pain is there or other symptoms are present, Function better in your daily life.Your provider should know how to work with you and how to handle both physical and emotional symptoms.

Statistics: The statistics related to Somatic symptom disorder, According to the DSM-IV-TR , somatization disorder is rare in males in the United States, although higher rates are seen among males from some cultural and ethnic groups. The DSM-IV-TR estimates that between 0.2% and 2% of women, and less than 0.2% of men, suffer from somatization disorder in the U.S. Sex ratios may arise from different rates of seeking treatment. However, studies of unexplained somatic symptoms in the general population find less striking differences in rates between men and women. Specific symptoms may vary across cultures. For example, the DSM-IV-TR notes that the sensation of worms in the head or ants crawling under the skin are sometimes reported in African and South Asian countries, but rarely seen in North American patients.