Somatoform disorder
What is somatoform disorder?
Somatisation disorder is a syndrome of multiple, recurrent medically unexplained symptoms over a prolonged time period. Emotional distress is often experienced as a physical symptom.
Somatisation disorder patients commonly have co-existing disorders; depression (up to 60% patients), anxiety disorders (up to 50%), personality disorders (up to 50%) or alcohol and substance misuse. Somatisation disorders are common and the most prevalent disorder in General Practice. In primary care up to 30% of visits from patients may be with unexplained medical symptoms.
There are different kinds of somatoform disorder, including:
- Somatisation disorder
- Conversion disorder
- Pain disorder
- Hypochondriasis
- Body dysmorphic disorder
Somatoform disorders affect people of all ages, but is more common in the elderly and more common in women. The prevalence of people affected is difficult to determine because many people will never receive a formal diagnosis. Patients often seek repeated medical consultations which fail to find a definite medical cause.
What are the causes?
The defining cause of somatoform disorders is unknown but research has indicated that early childhood experiences, cultural and environmental factors play roles in its manifestation.
Sufferers may turn to alcohol or drugs to self-medicate and ease the burden of their somatic symptoms; likewise excessive drugs and alcohol can make the symptoms worse.
What are the symptoms?
The relationship between the mind and the body is complex and not fully comprehended. When a person somatises, they are expressing a mental or emotional problem as a physical symptom. These include headaches, abdominal symptoms, pain in various parts of the body or fatigue and are real to patients and not imagined.
How Priory can help
Priory has been helping to treat people with somatoform disorders for many years. We know that everyone's situation is different, which is why we ensure that everyone has a unique treatment plan tailored to their needs.
The type and length of treatment is dependent on the individual's circumstances and the severity of the condition. Some patients are treated as out-patients, which means they come to Priory for hourly sessions with their consultant, psychologist or therapist. Others require a more structured treatment approach which can include staying at one of the Priory hospitals for the duration of their treatment where they take part in the psychological group programme as well as regular sessions with their consultant. Comprehensive day care packages are also available.
For more information or to request an initial assessment, please call 0845 2 PRIORY (0845 2 774679) or email info@priorygroup.com.
To view a list of the Priory hospitals that can help with Somatoform disorder please click here.
If you feel you may be suffering from somatoform disorder and would like help or more information, you can ask your GP to refer you for assessment.