Somatic symptom disorder diagnosis

Somatic symptom disorder diagnosis
Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) is much more common than many other mental disorders, but often overlooked or misdiagnosed by professionals. As a consequence, people with SSD have twice the annual medical care costs [1]. A proper somatic symptom disorder diagnosis is very important to make sure people find the right treatment for the mental condition and recover as soon as possible. Without a proper somatic symptom disorder diagnosis, people with SSD may feel misunderstood, remain distressed, and disabled [1]. Consequently, they stay in bed more often, take more sick leave, and are more often than other people unemployed [1].
This page discusses the somatic symptom disorder symptoms and highlights the differences in both somatization disorder and somatic symptom disorder. Somatic symptom disorder used to be called somatization disorder, but with the release of the new DSM V they adjusted its criteria a little bit.
If you are interested in the somatic symptom disorder test, please click here.
 


 
Somatic symptoms disorder diagnosis

Somatic symptoms disorder diagnosis


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    At Barends Psychology Practice, we offer (online) therapy for somatic symptom disorder. Contact us to schedule a first, free of charge, online session. (Depending on your health insurance, treatment may be reimbursed).

     
     

    Somatic symptom disorder diagnosis – the changes

    Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) used to be called somatization disorder in the DSM IV-TR. The diagnositc criteria for both disorders are slightly different:
     

    Somatization Disorder

  • A history of many physical symptoms beginning before age 30
  • Physical symptoms must be present for years
  • At least 4 pain symptoms must be present
  • At least 2 gastrointestinal symptoms other than pain must be present
  • At least 1 pseudoneurological symptom must be present
  • At least 1 sexual symptom must be present
  • The symptoms cannot be fully explained by a known general medical condition or the direct effects of a substance
    • Somatic Symptom Disorder

  • Symptoms must be distressing or disruptive of daily life
  • Symptoms must be present for 6 months or more
  • Symptoms must be associated with one of the following:
      – disproportionate and persistent thoughts about the seriousness of the symptom
      – persisting high anxiety about symptoms or health
      – excessive time and energy spend on health and symptoms
  • Symptoms can be part of a known medical condition

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    (Advertisement. Scroll down for the DSM V criteria for somatic symptom disorder).

     

    Somatic symptom disorder diagnosis – DSM V

    The diagnosis most psychiatrists and psychologists nowadays use is the one in the DSM V:

    • A) One or more somatic symptoms that are distressing or result in significant disruption of daily life.
    • B) Excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviours related to the somatic symptoms or associated health concerns as manifested by at least one of the following:
      • Disproportionate and persistent thoughts about the seriousness of one’s symptoms.
      • Persistently high level of anxiety about health or symptoms.
      • Excessive time and energy devoted to these symptoms or health concerns.
    • C) Although any one somatic symptom may not be continuously present, the state of being symptomatic is persistent (typically more than 6 months).

     
     

    Literature