what is somatic symptom disorder?

Somatic symptom disorder, which is also known as hypochondriasis, is the patient’s mental preoccupation with the fear of getting ill or believing that the one has developed a serious illness for at least 6 months. This fear or belief arises when the patient misinterprets symptoms or physical functions.

Symptoms of somatic symptom disorder

• Persistent and disproportionate thoughts about the importance of your symptoms.
• High levels of uninterrupted anxiety about health or symptoms.
• Spending a lot of time and energy on these symptoms or worrying about your health.

Epidemiology

• The lifetime prevalence in the general population is considered to be 4 to 6 percent.
• It is demonstrated that men and women are affected equally.
• Although the age of onset can vary, it is more common among adults between the ages of 20 and 30.
• It is more common in black people than in white ones.
• Social position (status), level of education and marital status have no influence on being affected by this disorder.

OVERVIEW

In case you see a variety of signs and symptoms, based on which you feel you suffer from a physical illness and you visit a doctor and they fail to diagnose a physical illness, but you are only relieved for a short time and start going to another doctor for a physical examination, and this cycle is repeated frequently, then you must know that you suffer from illness anxiety disorder.

You can reduce your suffering through counseling sessions and save your time and money and do not do unnecessary tests and checkups. In this regard, Dr. Afshari has a lot of practical experiences which can benefit you.

what is Illness anxiety disorder?

Illness anxiety disorder applies to those individuals who are preoccupied with being sick or with developing a disease of some kind. The fundamental difference between the diagnosis of this disorder and somatic symptoms disorder is that, in the latter disorder, there should be physical symptoms, while in illness anxiety disorder, no physical symptoms can be demonstrated and individuals believe that they suffer from a certain disease.

Symptoms of illness anxiety disorder

• Preoccupation with developing a serious illness
• No physical symptoms are observed or, in case of their presence, it is not that severe.
• There is a high level of anxiety about health and the persons are simply afraid about their health status.
• The person takes extreme measures about their health.

Epidemiology

• The prevalence in the general population is about 4 to 6 percent.
• The diagnosis of this disorder is more common in the elderly compared to the young.

OVERVIEW

As everyone knows, just like money can be turned into meat and coins, or dollars and rials into each other, the brain contains mechanisms that convert stress into somatic symptoms. In these conversions, there are primary and secondary benefits which can be discovered through the process of psychotherapy and the patient will be aware of them. 

People struggling these problems have long sought somatic origins in the offices of internal neurologists. Since the symptoms are completely real and there is no pretending, it is difficult for the patient to accept the psychological origin of the issue. Therefore, accepting the treatment process is hard.

what is Conversion disorder?

Conversion disorder includes symptoms or deficits affecting sensory or motor functions, which is preceded by conflicts and stressors.

Symptoms of conversion disorder

• Motor symptoms:

– Involuntary movements, tics, blepharospasm, seizures, abnormal gait, falling, astasia-abasia, paralysis and weakness.

• Sensory symptoms:

– Anesthesia, especially of extremities, anesthesia at moderate risk, blindness, deafness, psychogenic vomiting, false pregnancy, fainting, urinary retention and diarrhea.

Epidemiology

• The lifetime prevalence in the general public ranges from 11 per 100,000 to 300 per 100,000 persons.
• Women are twice as likely as men to develop this disorder, sometimes it even reaches as many as 10 times.
• The symptoms on the left side of the body of a female are more common than on the right side of their body.
• Men suffering from this disorder often have experienced occupational or military accidents.
• The onset of conversion disorder can be at any time in life. However, before the age of 10 and after the age of 35 is rare in this regard.
• Conversion symptoms in children under 10 are usually limited to walking and seizures.
• This type of disorder is more common among rural communities, Illiterate individuals, low socio-economic groups, and military personnel who have faced war situations.

OVERVIEW

Do you suffer from somatic pain that has not been explained and treated despite visiting doctors? At the same time, do you feel that your life is stress-free and the only problem is this pain? Have you used drugs and alcohol to reduce your pain?

Considering these conditions, there are likely to be psychological factors that are involved in the onset, persistence and severity of your pain. Regarding that the symptoms are completely real and there is no pretending, it is difficult to accept the psychological origin of the problem. Eventually, it is wise to use consultation and can help you reduce or treat your pain.

what is pain disorder?

This disorder is characterized by the presence of pain in one or more boy sites and the individual’s focus on it. Psychological factors play a vital role in the genesis, severity, and maintenance of pain.

Symptoms of pain disorder

• The severity of the pain in this disorder is such that has made it the focus of clinical attention.
• The subsequent pain leads to considerable discomfort and significant damage.
• Back pain, headache, unusual facial pain, chronic pelvic pain and other types of pain.
• The patient’s pain may be neural, musculoskeletal or post-traumatic pain.
• A number of patients have a long history of surgery and medical care, request multiple medications, and insist on surgery.

Epidemiology

• The lifetime prevalence in the general population is almost 12%.
• The onset of pain disorder can be at any age.
• The ratio of men and women struggling with this disorder is unknown.
• It is more common in relatives of people with pain disorders to experience depressive disorder, alcohol dependence and chronic pain.