Somatic Symptom Disorder

Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD) is a psychological problem classified under somatic symptoms and related disorders. SSD includes an intense focus on physical symptoms like pain or fatigue causing stress to a person. These symptoms may or may not be backed by evidence but the patient’s excessive thinking is severely exaggerated as compared to the problem.
Read on to learn more about what is Somatic Symptom Disorder, who does Somatic Symptom Disorder affect, Somatic Symptom Disorder symptoms and more. The blog extensively discusses Somatic Symptom Disorder treatment, how to support loved ones suffering from Somatic Symptom Disorder and explains ways of living with Somatic Symptom Disorder independently.

What is Somatic Symptom Disorder?

Somatic Symptom Disorder is a mental health condition in which patients exhibit abnormal thoughts when experiencing any physical sensation. This abnormal behavioural reaction to minor physical problems impacts the daily functioning of a person and affects their overall well-being.
The medical evidence might deny the presence of any symptom or could explain these sensations are completely normal. However, patients’ anxiety is excessive. Patients suffering from Somatic Symptom Disorder are often unaware of the disorder and only seek treatment for physical sensations.

What’s the difference between Somatic Symptom Disorder and Illness Anxiety Disorder?

Somatic Symptom Disorder involves excessive focus on actual physical symptoms like aches and pains, fatigue and so on. A patient could be suffering from a minor health problem but the reaction to the health issue is disproportionate.
Illness Anxiety Disorder, on the other hand, involves obsessing over non-existent symptoms and worrying about contracting a deadly disease in the absence of any symptoms.
Both disorders deal with anxiety related to health problems. Somatic Symptom Disorder includes fearing problems in the presence of concrete symptoms and Illness Anxiety Disorder is rooted in the fear of illness itself.

What’s the difference between Conversion Disorder and Somatic Symptom Disorder?

Somatic Symptom Disorder can cause physical symptoms like pain and fatigue but does not include any severe neurological complications. Conversion Disorder, on the other hand, involves unexplained neurological symptoms like paralysis and seizures that cannot be explained medically.
Both disorders are triggered by stress or trauma and can make a person incompetent to perform his or her daily routine. The two disorders highlight the important connection between physical and mental health and how the deterioration of one can disturb the other.

Common Myths and Misconceptions

Myth 1: Somatic Symptom Disorder does not affect children.
Fact 1: False. Somatic Symptom Disorder is quite common among children. SSD can happen to anyone belonging to any age group.

Myth 2: Experiencing pain is the only symptom of Somatic Symptom Disorder.
Fact 2: False. Patients suffering from Somatic Symptom Disorder can also experience fatigue and shortness of breath during an episode.

Myth 3: People suffering from Somatic Symptom Disorder simply want sympathy.
Fact 3: False. Patients who experience fatigue, breathlessness and are suffering from pain even if medical assessment does not support these symptoms must consult a medical health professional immediately. SSD is a serious disorder and must not be ignored as a way to seek attention.

Myth 4: Anti-anxiety pills and occasional consumption of antidepressants are enough for treating Somatic Symptom Disorder.
Fact 4: Anti-anxiety pills and antidepressants must never be consumed casually. Patients must seek medical help if they feel that their response to the pain is exaggerated.

Statistics and Facts

Somatic Symptom Disorder is quite common among the adult population. Almost 5-7% of the adult US population has been diagnosed with it.

Who does Somatic Symptom Disorder affect?

Somatic Symptom Disorder can affect any person belonging to any age group or gender. The average onset age of the disorder is 30. It has been discovered that individuals assigned female at birth are 10 times more likely to be affected than those who are assigned as male.
Certain other factors like experiencing trauma in the past, suffering from chronic stress and various cultural factors can also affect a person.

What Causes Somatic Symptom Disorder?

• The exact cause of Somatic Symptom Disorder is unclear. However, certain factors like heightened pain sensitivity contribute.
• Genetic factors and familial factors also cause Somatic Symptom Disorder. People who live with patients suffer from this syndrome more often.
• Emotional dysregulation can also be a contributing factor. Stressful events and traumatic medical experiences can make a person react in a certain manner to painful symptoms.

What are the signs and symptoms of Somatic Symptom Disorder?

• Chronic Physical Symptoms
  Patients experience significant distress as they suffer from one or more than one health issue. They will have one serious symptom that disturbs them but it might not be consistent.
• Persistent Thoughts
  Patients experience disproportionate thoughts about the seriousness of their symptoms. Anxiety and low energy are also felt by patients suffering from Somatic Symptom Disorder.
• Presence of Pain
  Pain is the most dominant symptom. This pain is accompanied by consistent fear and worry because the test reports and scans suggest the presence of no health problem.

How is Somatic Symptom Disorder diagnosed?

Diagnosing Somatic Symptom Disorder includes the following tests:

• Imaging Scans and Neurological Tests
  Imaging scans like X-rays and MRIs are recommended by doctors to rule out any other health problem that could be causing stress. EEGs and nerve conduction studies are also conducted by doctors to learn about the patient’s sensory and motor functions.
• Psychological Assessment
  Clinical interviews and questionnaires further clarify the problem. Standardised questioning techniques are used to understand the extent of the problem and determine the impact of the disorder on the personal, social and professional life of a patient.

How is Somatic Symptom Disorder treated?

• Psychotherapies
  Psychotherapies are the most effective when it comes to treating patients suffering from Somatic Symptom Disorder. Here are 2 main therapies administered by therapists for complete recovery.
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) enables cognitive restructuring of a patient. Negative thought patterns or repetitive thoughts are replaced with positive and more stable ones. Therapists ensure that patients do not indulge in overthinking and think progressively. However, patients must attend sessions regularly for maximum effectiveness.
• Talk Therapy
  Talk Therapy, as the name suggests, enables a patient to talk out his or her concerns. Patients are encouraged to speak out about everything that clouds their judgement and preoccupies their minds. This is particularly beneficial in tracing the cause of the problem and also treating co-occurring other mental health disorders. For talk therapy to be effective, patients must be honest about their symptoms and medical history.
• Lifestyle Changes
  Certain lifestyle changes like exercising regularly and eating right are recommended by professional mental health experts. Since achieving controlled reactions is the ultimate goal when a patient is exposed to triggers, sustainable treatment options are preferred and recommended. Therapists and counsellors encourage patients to form a routine and follow it religiously. Yoga and meditation are a must for a person to feel calmer and beat stress.
• Medication
  There is no particular medication for treating Somatic Symptom Disorder. However, psychiatrists can prescribe anti-anxiety pills and antidepressants if the patient is exhibiting symptoms of these disorders as well. Certain times, painkillers are also prescribed but only after consulting a physician so that the medications do not counter each other.

Living with Somatic Symptom Disorder

• Living with Somatic Symptom Disorder can be challenging. Patients are often misunderstood as attention seekers which can hamper the self-confidence of an individual.
• Explaining symptoms to other people can be challenging as they lack concreteness. Therefore, seek professional help so that the treatment can be started immediately.
• Adopting a new hobby can be helpful as patients with Somatic Symptom Disorder must divert their attention. However, having company at all times is a good idea as companionship can make recovery easier.
• Creating a support system is also important. A close group of friends and family can help a patient vent out his or her emotions.

How to Support Loved Ones Suffering from Somatic Symptom Disorder?

• Kith and kin of the patient must avoid judgment at all times. People who are suffering from Somatic Symptom Disorder are not exhibiting this kind of behaviour intentionally.
• Patients must be counselled about their health problems and patience must be exercised. Professional mental health experts must be consulted as soon as symptoms start getting severe.
• Reassurance plays a major role. Family therapy sessions and group counselling sessions must be attended so that patients do not feel lonely. Practising empathy is essential for a patient to recover faster. Therefore, the family must be honest with the patients but not rude.
• Validating their fears occasionally is essential for a patient’s recovery. A mental health disorder is like any other health problem which must be treated seriously. However, forcefully pushing a patient into treatment is not recommended. Patients must be briefed before starting a treatment.
• Patients must be given a clean and healthy diet. Intake of alcohol and other substances must be prohibited as it can have a negative impact on a person’s health.

Jagruti Treatment and Recovery

1. Extensive Counselling Sessions
Mental health experts administer customised therapies and arrange counselling sessions for patients. Since no two patients are the same, no two treatments are the same either. Therefore, every patient is administered a different combination of therapies and medicines depending on the severity of the problem.

2. 24/7 Nursing Care
The nursing staff assists patients at all times. If a patient is not able to perform his or her daily chores independently, the nursing staff is there to help. Vitals of patients who are suffering from comorbidities are tracked regularly and patients are prescribed drugs for treating psychological disorders after analysing their medical history.

3. Technologically Advanced Facility
Jagruti Rehab Centre is equipped with CCTV cameras for the safety of the patients. Patients are provided with recreational courses as a part of the treatment. These recreational spaces are equipped with screens and so are counselling rooms to explain the process faster and better. Payment in all forms is accepted.

4. Experienced Medical Staff
Jagruti Rehab Centre has empanelled the best medical practitioners. Since patients of all age groups and cultural backgrounds are admitted, the staff makes sure that patients are well taken care of. Attendants of patients who opt for residential treatments get accommodation and have access to other facilities as well.

5. Affordable and Comfortable
Jagruti Rehab Centre offers the best rehabilitation services at the most affordable rates. Patients can make payments according to their convenience as payments are accepted in all forms. There are air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned rooms available for patients and accommodation is also provided to attendants.