Causes and treatment of psychosomatic pain

If aches and pains are making it hard for you to go about your day or are persistently causing you discomfort, you should generally reach out to your doctor. If you find that your pain is not connected to any physical issues, it may be psychosomatic, or the result of something psychological rather than physical. Psychosomatic pain can often be treated with cognitive behavioral therapy. Sometimes, group therapy and prescribed medication may also be part of your treatment plan. Meanwhile, alternative options like yoga, meditation, and hypnosis may also be helpful. You can start treatment for psychosomatic pain by connecting with a therapist in person or through an online therapy platform.

What is psychosomatic pain?

Derived from "psyche" (mind) and "soma" (body), psychosomatic pain typically refers to real physical symptoms that are caused by the mind. For example, those who experience depression often feel physical symptoms, such as aches and pains, headaches, and stomachaches. These physical symptoms can manifest for several reasons and may be separate from their normal causes. 

As mentioned above, psychosomatic pain can be real physical pain resulting from psychological concerns. Unlike hypochondria, in which a patient usually has a chronic fear of being unhealthy and may imagine that any small ache or pain is the symptom of a physical illness, those who experience psychosomatic pain often experience real, debilitating physical symptoms. When diagnosed by a doctor, however, these patients are often found to be completely healthy.

What is hypochondria and how does it differ from psychosomatic pain?

People with hypochondria are usually overwhelmed by a constant fear of developing a serious illness. Many people can rationally assume that dehydration may cause a headache, and that nausea may be caused by something you ate. 

People with hypochondria, however, tend to have an ever-present fear that may lead them to constantly monitor their bodies. They may experience minor, everyday aches and pains and believe them to be the first sign of something more threatening. Conversely, they may feel fine physically but live in constant fear of becoming ill.

Those with psychosomatic pain usually exhibit true physical symptoms that can make it difficult to get through the day. Their pain is often real, but the source may be unidentifiable.

Common psychosomatic symptoms

While psychosomatic pain can refer to any physical pain that doesn't have a logical, medical explanation, there are often a handful of symptoms that can be frequently reported by those experiencing this kind of pain. 

Many of these symptoms can be caused by a large number of mental illnesses but tend to be commonly associated with anxiety and stress. Because of this, psychosomatic disorders can be difficult to diagnose.

Causes of psychosomatic pain

Often, psychosomatic pain is caused by underlying emotions. Grief, stress, and anxiety can all manifest themselves in physical ways. If a person has recently gone through a traumatic experience, this can give therapists a clue as to where these symptoms may have originated. 

In many cases, the root of the pain may be less obvious. Those who have experienced extreme emotional trauma in the past may repress these emotions, and they can eventually be expressed through physical pain years or even decades later.

How is psychosomatic pain diagnosed?

How can doctors be sure that the pain you are experiencing is psychosomatic? The first step is usually ruling out any possible illnesses or diseases that could be causing the pain. While this may require many tests, X-rays, and other forms of diagnosis, it can be important not to overlook any illness that could potentially be treated. 

After all possibilities are ruled out, the patient may be referred to a specialist – often a mental health professional – who is likely more knowledgeable about psychosomatic disorders.

How can psychosomatic pain be treated?

Those with psychosomatic pain may choose to meet with a therapist to discuss their physical and emotional symptoms. Finding a therapist you can trust and feel comfortable around can be especially important because, in many cases, the therapy can bring difficult emotions to the surface. Specific therapies to overcome psychosomatic pain are discussed below.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) typically addresses the relationship between our behavior and our perceptions. Individual perception tends to vary widely and usually depends on previous experiences, genetic predispositions to mental illnesses, and the environment in which we are raised. 

Your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors can all combine to affect the way you live your life. The basis of this type of therapy is normally to help the patient pinpoint past traumas and effectively work through the resulting emotions. CBT often proposes that negative emotions can be rewritten and aims to change negative emotional patterns into healthier ones.

When being treated with CBT, your therapist will usually begin with an assessment that helps them better understand your symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy is typically goal-oriented, meaning that your therapist will likely work with you to create steps you can take to begin to address negative thought patterns. The length of therapy and the steps taken usually vary depending on each person's situation.

Group therapy

In some cases, it may be helpful to combine group therapy with CBT. Group therapy can provide a support group and eliminate feelings of being completely alone with this disorder. It can be helpful to hear other people's experiences and learn how they have begun to alleviate their symptoms.

Medication

If cognitive behavioral therapy isn't enough, some mental health professionals may recommend medication to address the symptoms of psychosomatic disorders. Never start or stop any form of medication without the guidance of a licensed medical or mental health professional.

Alternative therapies

If you are experiencing debilitating psychosomatic pain, speaking with a licensed professional is often highly encouraged. However, many alternative therapies can be helpful when combined with traditional forms of therapy.

Yoga and meditation

Both yoga and meditation (especially the combination of the two) can ease stress and bring a sense of tranquility into your life. This can be especially helpful if the underlying cause of your psychosomatic pain is deep emotional trauma. Yoga and meditation can relax the mind and body and promote clarity. Simple stretches and muscle exercises can alleviate physical pain in some cases as well.

Herbal remedies

While there may not be any herbal remedies that can completely cure psychosomatic pain, a handful of common herbs may ease stress and anxiety. Please consult a doctor before adding any herbal remedies to your regimen.

Kava

Kava is traditionally prepared as a tea and can be used to treat anxiety. It may also alleviate restlessness and promote deep, healthy sleep.

Chamomile

Chamomile is often thought to be one of the most popular “bedtime” herbs. Mildly sedative, it can promote a sense of peace and may relieve stress and anxiety.

Magnesium

Magnesium supplements can reduce stress and lower blood pressure.

Lavender

Lavender may be especially soothing. It can be consumed as a tea, but the scent itself may work wonders. You might keep a fragrant bag of lavender around the house to sniff whenever you feel stressed.

Hypnosis

The hypnosis method typically induces a trance-like state in which the hypnotist momentarily suppresses consciousness, potentially revealing the subconscious. While the person is hypnotized, the hypnotist may offer suggestions for relaxation and a sense of internal peace. This type of therapy can vary widely depending on the symptoms of each person.

What to do when you experience psychosomatic pain

Psychosomatic pain can be especially challenging to cope with if it stems from psychological trauma that is already impacting your life. Here are some things you may do immediately if you are feeling pain without a physical cause.

Treat both the physical pain and the mental health symptoms

If you get hurt, you usually seek out a solution to help you manage the pain. With psychosomatic pain, however, the source may not be external but internal. Therefore, it can be important to treat both the physical and the emotional symptoms.

Rest when necessary

Just as you likely wouldn't walk on a broken or sprained ankle, you shouldn't usually be pushing yourself if you don't feel good enough emotionally or physically. While you may need to push yourself to get out of the house at times when you live with a mental illness, there may be no need to overdo it. Try to know your limits, and make sure you rest when you need to.

Understand your pain before treating it

Depression (and other mental illnesses) and pain can have a relationship in which your mind produces physical symptoms based on your emotional state. It can be important to be aware that pain can contribute to the development of depression as well. Try to ensure your pain is not the result of a physical condition that could be causing your depression.

Talk to a therapist

If you decide to meet with a therapist, one option may be to look for a professional who has expertise in CBT. Another may be to find a therapist who can help you explore where the pain might be stemming from on a deeper level. Sometimes, therapists use both approaches.

Benefits of online therapy 

An online therapist can give you the understanding and emotional support you deserve to move past your symptoms. If you are considering online therapy to treat your psychosomatic pain, licensed mental health professionals at BetterHelp can get you started on the path to recovery. This can empower you to get professional help from the comfort of home, which may be especially beneficial if you’re experiencing physical pain that makes it challenging to leave the house and attend therapy sessions in person.

Effectiveness of online therapy

One study investigating the potential effectiveness of online therapy for somatic symptom disorder found that “a large reduction in somatic symptoms occurred pre-to post-treatment which was fully maintained at 4-month follow-up.” If you’re living with psychosomatic pain, online therapy may be a treatment option to consider.

Consider the following reviews of BetterHelp therapists from others experiencing similar situations.

Therapist reviews

"She is a superwoman who saved my life! I'm a survivor of traumatic experiences. I spent much money and time on EMDR sessions with another counselor. Throughout her sessions for three months, I found out what my deep pain was, and how the stress influenced my life, habits, feelings, and facial expressions. Her sessions didn't just heal my pain; they changed my habits and my life. I'm grateful for her skills, knowledge, and personality, as well as BetterHelp's excellent service."

"Thea is very responsive and somehow she is empathetic while still being straightforward and direct. She helps you to become self-aware and recognize where you can make changes to take control over the things that are causing you pain."