Somatoform disorders

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Somatoform disorders are physical ailments (such as pain, nausea, dizziness) for which no adequate medical explanation has been found and/or are caused by psychological factors. The complaints are serious enough to cause significant emotional distress and impairment of social and/or occupational functioning

A diagnosis of a somatoform disorder implies that psychological factors are a large contributor to the symptoms onset, severity and duration. It is important to note that somatoform disorders are not the result of conscious malingering or factitious disorders.

This group of disorders include

• Body dysmorphic disorder
• Conversion disorder
• Hypochondriasis
• Neurodermatitis
• Somatization disorder
• Somatoform pain disorder
• Somatoform disorder NOS
• Undifferentiated somatoform disorder

As examples, the following conditions may fall into this category:

• Anorexia nervosa
• Asthma
• Bulimia
• Dyspnea
• Endocrine disorders
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Hay fever
• Headache
• Hyperphagia
• Hyperventilation
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Migraine headache
• Myofacial pain
• Obesity
• Premenstrual tension
• Sexual function disturbances
• Skin disorders
• Urinary function disorders
• Urogenital disorders

See also

• Illness behavior
• Munchausen syndrome
• Psychosomatic illness
• Somatization disorder.

External links

• What it is and how to cope
• Psychological.com article on Somatoform Disorders