Psychosomatic Symptoms

People who experience psychosomatic pain or distress often seem to be obsessed with their symptoms. They usually have frequent visits to their primary care provider, often with no medical explanation for their symptoms. Health concerns become such a central focus of life, that it becomes hard to function, often leading to living a life of solitude, and sometimes disability.

Signs of Psychosomatic Symptom Disorder

Significant emotional and physical distress are present with psychosomatic symptom disorder. While everyone's experience may be different, there are some common symptoms of psychosomatic symptom disorder.

• Specific sensations, such as shortness of breath or pain
• More specific symptoms, such as weakness or fatigue
• Constant worry about potential illness
• Thinking that physical sensations are life-threatening or harmful
• Questioning the adequacy of a recent medical evaluation or treatment
• Repeatedly checking the body for abnormalities
• Frequent medical visits that don't relieve concerns or that seem to make them worse
• Experiencing severe impairment that would be associated with a medical condition, although there is no supporting diagnosis

If you believe you may be experiencing signs of a psychosomatic disorder, it is important to seek out the support of a doctor or mental health professional who can provide diagnosis and help you to explore treatment options.

Causes

The exact cause of psychosomatic symptom disorder is not clear. However, some of the following factors are thought to have a role in the development of psychosomatic illness.

• Genetic and biological factors may contribute to increased sensitivity to pain or other stimuli.
• Difficulty processing emotional issues may lead some individuals to experience physical symptoms as a defense mechanism for not dealing with the emotional trouble.
• Learned behaviors can result in symptoms; for example, the attention or other benefits gained from having an illness.

Risk Factors

Any disorder, real or perceived, has risk factors that increase the chances of the disorder occurring. For example, smoking is a risk factor for developing lung cancer. Risk factors for psychosomatic symptom disorder include, but are not limited to:

• Experiencing a stressful event, such as violence or trauma
• Having a low-level of education
• Lower socioeconomic status
• History of anxiety or depression
• Family history of chronic or terminal diseases

Medical Conditions that May Have a Psychological Component

While not all medical conditions will present with psychological symptoms, there are some that may seem worse during times of stress. If you're experiencing any of the following medical conditions or symptoms and begin to feel emotional or mental strain, make an appointment with your physician for an evaluation. The conditions and symptoms include:

• Pain
• Fatigue
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Skin disorders such as psoriasis or eczema
• Gastrointestinal disorders like stomach ulcers or irritable bowel syndrome
• Heart disease

Many physical diseases or conditions, such as the ones listed above, may be made worse by mental factors.

Are Psychosomatic Symptoms Harmful?

Psychosomatic symptoms are very real to the person experiencing them and they should not be dismissed. The long-term effects of psychosomatic symptoms can be far-reaching. For example, psychosomatic symptom disorder has been known to be associated with:

• Failing relationships
• Loss of employment
• Financial difficulty related to loss of employment or excessive medical
• Development of other mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression and personality disorders
• Increased suicide risk related to depression

Prevention and Treatment

It's not always easy to prevent psychosomatic symptoms. However, learning to recognize when you are feeling stressed and how your body responds may be helpful in preventing psychosomatic symptoms. It can be useful to learn relaxation techniques to address psychosomatic symptoms. These relaxation techniques can include meditation or yoga. In addition, it can be important to take care of your body through eating nutritious food, regular exercise, and getting enough sleep.

If you're experiencing anxiety or depression or if you are unable to process any other emotions associated with the psychosomatic symptoms you are feeling, it is important to discuss your concerns with your primary care provider. They'll be able to go over your medical history and make recommendations, as needed, for care regarding your medical symptoms and can also provide a referral for help regarding the psychosomatic symptoms that you're experiencing.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is commonly the treatment of choice for a psychosomatic disorder. CBT involves helping patients learn new ways of coping with and solving problems while gaining a deeper understanding of their physical and mental conditions. With CBT, patients learn to set realistic goals and to identify and change behaviors that may have a negative impact on their physical and emotional well-being.

The good news is, there are options for seeking care and learning to manage psychosomatic symptoms so that you can enjoy a normal life. You may choose to attend a support group for people who are experiencing psychosomatic symptom disorder or engage in group or individual counseling.

Individual counseling can be done in a counselor or therapist's office, in a local mental health clinic, or online. If you are unsure about in-person sessions right now, online counseling, such as that offered by BetterHelp is a great way to get the help you need, while still having a sense of control over when and where you talk with someone.

"I put off finding a therapist for a long time. I dreaded my first conversation with Neil and all the awkward, clunky explanations I'd have to give about my depression and anxiety. All of the things that felt like dirty little secrets that caused me so much pain. But I was so pleasantly surprised by the way Neil accurately picked up on what I was saying and gave me more insight into how my brain was working. It made my issue feel so much less of a personal problem and more of a universal problem we could examine together. He always gives me a thoughtful response within a day or two any time I send a message. I actually think we've made more progress in between sessions just by being able to communicate things that are coming up in real time. Neil is intelligent and kind. I really appreciate his communication style and highly recommend him."

Conclusion

Psychosomatic symptom disorder can have far-reaching effects on an individual's physical and mental health. As frustrating as symptoms may be, there is hope and there is help. No matter what you're experiencing, your symptoms don't have to prevent you from enjoying life. With the right tools, a truly fulfilling life is possible. Take the first step today.

Below are some commonly asked questions on this topic:

What are some psychosomatic symptoms?

There are various types of somatic symptoms that may emerge as a result of psychological stress, including body aches and pains, fatigue, gastrointestinal distress, erectile dysfunction, cardiovascular or respiratory symptoms (such as heart palpitations or shortness of breath), and headaches.

In some cases, the symptoms can be attributed to other medical conditions, however, if a person’s preoccupation with their symptoms is excessive and interferes with daily functioning, it may indicate Somatic Symptom Disorder.

What is a psychosomatic disorder?

According to the American Psychiatric Association, Somatic Symptom Disorder is characterized by a preoccupation with physical symptoms (such as pain or breathing difficulties) that cause significant distress. In order to be diagnosed with the condition, an individual must have one or more symptoms that are disruptive to daily functioning for at least six months, accompanied by excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to the symptoms. An individual with Somatic Symptom Disorder might frequently seek medical care due to fear that their symptoms could indicate serious illness. They may request continual reassurance through scans or blood tests, which ultimately does not provide relief from their anxiety. An article published in the National Library of Medicine estimates that Somatic Symptom Disorder affects 5-7% of the general population.

Treatment for Somatic Symptom Disorder may include meeting with a trusted healthcare provider regularly, psychotherapy, and/or medications to address symptoms of anxiety or depression.

Therapy Is Personal

Therapy is a personal experience, and not everyone will go into it seeking the same things. But, keeping these things in mind can ensure that you will get the most out of online therapy, regardless of what your specific goals are (i.e. managing psychosomatic symptoms). If you’re still wondering if therapy is right for you, and how much therapy costs, please contact us at contact@betterhelp.com. BetterHelp specializes in online therapy to help address all types of mental health concerns, including psychosomatic symptoms.