Somatomorphic disorders reveal how difficult it is to separate the effects of the body and mind on a person’s health. The strong interconnection that maintains these two dimensions greatly complicates the diagnosis and treatment of this type of disorder.
Before continuing, they must be distinguished from psychosomatic disorders, although both triggers are psychological and there are physical symptoms, psychosomatic disorders damage the corresponding physiological system, while in somatomorphs there is no demonstrable organic pathology, somatomorphic disorders even when there are physical symptoms, but no organic symptoms or demonstrable physiological mechanisms. In addition, there is evidence of psychological conflicts related to this symptomatology.
- People with these types of disorders make their symptoms the epicenter of their life.
- Even the discomfort they feel can completely absorb them.
- However.
- In many cases.
- Their concern is disproportionate to their symptoms.
As we have seen, patients with somatomorphic disorders have psychologically original physical symptoms, these conditions are accompanied by high levels of anxiety, anxiety and difficulties in their daily functioning, their clinical picture can be summarized in the following key points:
The chronicity of physical symptoms and the belief in the catastrophic consequences that pain can have make these people dependent on others, generating in their environment the need to be treated and treated frequently, so that they can evade their responsibilities over the one. and, on the other hand, require dedication, help and support in an agonizing way for those around them.
In addition, they are often irritated if they believe they are not getting the time or attention they deserve or if their needs are underestimated, they can threaten and, in some more complex cases, attempt suicide. As can be seen, somatomorphic disorders are very serious. if not detected in time.
How do I detect a disorder for which there are physical symptoms, but not an organic injury?The answers to these questions lie in the psychological component of these disorders, so, to diagnose it, shouldn’t there be a somatic basis for the symptoms?(DSM-IV).
However, it would be inappropriate for doctors to diagnose this condition as a mental disorder when they cannot find a physical cause for the patient’s symptoms. Instead, they must ensure that the tests performed are the most appropriate and that the test results are correct.
Some people are also likely to overreact to their symptoms because their pain limit is lower than normal, but that doesn’t mean they have a mental illness.
This type of disorder should be diagnosed once it is ruled out as a cause of possible physical or organic disorders, and only if the response to symptoms is abnormally intense.
To classify a disorder as a somatomorph it is necessary to be guided by the person’s response to their symptoms or health problems, that is, their anxiety, their anxiety and the degree of interference that their discomfort has in their daily tasks and duties. , depending on these reactions, the following specific disorders (DSM-IV and CIE-10) are distinguished:
Although there are studies on the pharmacological treatment of pain, currently there is not a sufficient scientific basis to make reliable therapeutic recommendations, however, it is advisable for the patient to use psychotherapy and, in particular, the cognitive-behavioral approach, which can help reduce anxiety. and anxiety about your symptoms.
An integrative approach that combines cognitive behavioral therapy with interpersonal therapy is also effective, including the two main characteristics of patients with a somatizing tendency: the inadequate way to perceive and evaluate their health and the form of communication inadequate to express their discomfort to others. .
These types of diseases have a high prevalence in our society, although it is not necessary to obsess, in some cases physical symptoms can be the product of a mental illness, this as we said at the beginning of the article is the result of the interaction that exists between body and mind. Now, where is the line between physical and mental symptoms?