Understanding and Treating
Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD)
Somatic symptom disorder (SSD), which used to be known as “somatoform disorder”, is a recognised mental health condition which is characterised by one or more complaints in the body which may or may not have a clear physical or mental health origin and may include unexplained pain, fatigue, or neurological problems.
The symptoms of SSD which lack a medical explanation, can persist over an extended period and typically occur alongside severe emotional distress. This phenomenon is known as “somatisation”. These perceived symptoms may affect your ability to function in your everyday life. However, the key factor that indicates you have SSD is your frequent disproportionate reaction to these symptoms.
This overreaction can lead to frequent visits to the doctor for your concerns, convinced that you have a serious condition even though many possibilities have already been ruled out. Your constant preoccupation with your symptoms can leave you so overly worried about your health that you neglect other areas of your life, including your personal relationships and career.
What is SSD?
SSD, also known as “somatisation disorder” or “somatoform disorder”, is a chronic mental health condition where an individual responds with excessive distress to one or several bodily symptoms such as pain and lethargy and may involve one or more organs or systems in the body.
SSD patients often have co-existing mental health disorders such as depression (up to 60% of patients), anxiety disorders (up to 50%), personality disorders (up to 50%) or alcohol and substance misuse. SSD is a common condition representing the most prevalent disorder in general practice. Up to 30% of primary care visits may involve unexplained medical symptoms.
If you have SSD, the physical symptoms can persist for years and may negatively affect your ability to function in your daily life. You will be diagnosed with SSD if your excessive worry about your physical health adversely affects other aspects of your life. These thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that revolve around your health can become so severe that they cause difficulties in your work and relationships.
Different kinds of related disorders may co-exist with SSD, including:
- Illness anxiety disorder (hypochondriasis)
People with illness anxiety disorder often exhibit many of the same signs and symptoms as those with SDD, such as the preoccupation with physical health, where minor health issues are perceived as serious medical problems. A typical example is misinterpreting a general headache as a sign of a brain tumour and intensifying the distress by self-diagnosing and doing online research about one’s symptoms thus increasing the distress. - Conversion disorder
If SSD symptoms are accompanied by persistent worries over neurological problems such as hearing loss, fatigue or general weakness, a diagnosis of conversion disorder may be considered when no apparent medical cause can be identified. - Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
An exaggerated belief that a specific body part is abnormal or prominent can dominate the life of an individual struggling with BDD. This way of thinking and subsequent behaviours to disguise perceived abnormalities such as minor skin blemishes may contribute to the development of severe health anxiety and somatic symptom disorder.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of SSD?
The mind and body connection is complex and not yet fully understood. However, it is believed that mental health conditions such as stress, anxiety or depression may influence the physical pain and other symptoms you may experience with SSD.
Somatisation typically involves the manifestation of underlying mental or emotional issues as physical symptoms. The physical symptoms commonly experienced by people with SSD can include:
- Headaches
- Abdominal symptoms
- Pain in various parts of the body
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness
Although pain is the most commonly experienced symptom of SSD, the key distinction between SSD and associated health problems is the disproportionate thoughts, feelings, and behaviours you have in response to your physical complaints. This level of anxiety is what characterises the distress of SSD and what ultimately prevents you from functioning normally in your daily life.
Below are the thoughts, feelings and behaviours which can be experienced if you suffer from somatic symptom disorder:
- Persistent worry about potentially having a serious health condition
- Viewing common or minor physical complaints or sensations as a
definitive sign of severe illness - Feeling that any medical evaluation by a GP or otherwise is insufficient
- Believing that physical activity may harm your body further
- Regularly checking your body for abnormalities
- Visiting health centres and general practices regularly
- Being unusually sensitive to medical treatment or medications
It is essential to understand that it is your thought process in response to specific physical symptoms that is affecting your daily life. Our team of medical experts can assist with this aspect of your SSD when you seek therapeutic treatment with us.
What Causes SSD?
Somatic syndrome disorder can affect anyone regardless of age; however, more women experience it than men, often developing it before the age of 30. Determining the prevalence of people with the condition is complicated as many will never be formally diagnosed; at the same time, some repeatedly seek professional help, but no medical explanation can be found for their symptoms. Interestingly, SSD is more prevalent in cultures where mental health issues are not typically discussed.
The specific cause of SSD has not yet been determined, but research indicates that early childhood experiences and cultural and environmental factors may contribute to its development. These may include the following:
- Genetics
An inherited biological sensitivity to pain tends to increase your awareness of physical sensations and issues in your body, which may result in symptoms of SSD and related health anxiety in contrast to someone with a higher threshold of pain. - Family and environment
Childhood experiences may change your attitude towards physical health. If your parents constantly worried about your health when you were a child, resulting in frequent trips to the doctor for even minor concerns, you can adopt this mindset and replicate it as you get older. - Personality traits
If you tend to have a negative mindset towards life, this inclination can also influence your perception of your own physical health, causing you to misinterpret physical symptoms as indicative of a serious medical condition. - Difficulty processing emotions
If you are struggling with emotional issues or symptoms of stress but want to avoid confronting the root causes, you may instead overly fixate on how you feel physically.
Some individuals may self-medicate to relieve the somatic symptoms by drinking alcohol or using drugs. However, excessive alcohol consumption and drug misuse, along with a high-stress job or challenging personal circumstances, can worsen the symptoms of somatic syndrome disorder (SSD).
Treatment for SSD
We have been treating people with SSD for many years. We understand that every person’s situation is different, so we make sure you get a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and personal circumstances.
If you are struggling with symptoms of SSD, you can seek help at any one of our hospitals and wellbeing centres, which provide personalised treatment. Specialist therapy sessions, designed to help in the treatment of SSD, are included in all our outpatient, day care, and inpatient treatment programmes. These sessions can assist you in managing your symptoms, leading to a drastically improved quality of life.
The type and length of SSD treatment you will receive will depend on your circumstances and the severity of your condition. Once you have discussed treatment options, completely understood how SSD is affecting your life, and determined your treatment goals, you can be given treatment as an outpatient. This means that you will have hourly sessions with your consultant, psychologist or therapist at a convenient time.
If your condition is particularly severe, a structured treatment approach that may entail a residential stay at one of our hospitals may be recommended. Inpatient treatment allows you to participate in a psychological group programme and regular sessions with your consultant. We also offer day care treatment packages.
Concerning mental health treatment options for SSD, psychotherapy or “talk therapy” is considered to be especially beneficial in dealing with problems related to daily functioning and associated symptoms of SSD.
Evidence-based talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can indirectly help in improving physical symptoms associated with SSD due to the connection between psychological distress and physical complaints. Furthermore, CBT can be especially beneficial if you have a co-occurring mental health condition such as depression or anxiety.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
CBT is a talking therapy often used in the treatment of SSD. This action-based therapeutic method helps you develop a deeper understanding of the condition, including the reasons that underlie the emotional and physical problems associated with it.
Our experienced therapists will guide you in learning techniques that will help you develop healthier thought processes concerning your condition, and these may include:
- Adapting your extreme beliefs about your health and physical symptoms
- Learning how to reduce stress
- Coping techniques for when you experience physical symptoms
- Reducing preoccupation with your symptoms
- Improving your ability to function daily in various situations
- Addressing stress, anxiety and depression which may be contributing factors
What lies behind us and what lies before us are
tiny matters compared to what lies within us
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is widely acknowledged by medical experts as a supplementary treatment to CBT for reducing the symptoms of SSD. It combines aspects of CBT with contemporary psychological techniques that can teach you to be present in the moment instead of fixating on the future.
By practising breathing and meditation techniques, you can empty your mind of negative thoughts which may be contributing to your preoccupation and anxiety experienced with SSD, along with associated symptoms of depression.
Medication for SSD
Medication can be used to treat SSD as a complement to therapy. It can be particularly effective if you’re struggling with symptoms commonly associated with the condition, such as health anxiety, pain or depression. It is crucial to keep in mind that when taking medication such as antidepressants, improvement in symptoms may take several weeks.
FREE Somatic Symptom Disorder Assessment
If your or a loved one are struggling with Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD), we understand the challenges you’re facing and we’re here to offer compassionate help.
Our highly trained advisers are available to speak to you right away, simply call 0808 252 3379 today.
We can discuss your concerns in complete confidence, explore the options for treatment, and help you to understand what will work best for you.
We’ll also help you to book your free Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD) assessment there and then, with appointments usually available within only
a few days.
We understand that taking the first step can be the most difficult, but we’re here to support – with no pressure or judgement.
Professional and compassionate help is just a phone call or click away.
