Somatization

Somatization can be, but is not always, related to certain psychiatric conditions such as:{{cite journal |vauthors=Smith RC, Gardiner JC, Lyles JS, etal |title=Exploration of DSM-IV criteria in primary care patients with medically unexplained symptoms |journal=Psychosomatic Medicine |volume=67 |issue=1 |pages=123–9 |year=2005 |pmid=15673634 |doi=10.1097/01.psy.0000149279.10978.3e |pmc=1894627}}

• Mood disorders (e.g., major depressive disorder)
• Anxiety disorders
• Somatic symptom disorder

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has classified somatoform disorders in the DSM-IV and the World Health Organization (WHO) have classified these in the ICD-10. Both classification systems use similar criteria. Most current practitioners will use one over the other, though in cases of borderline diagnoses, both systems may be referred to.

In psychodynamic theory, somatization is conceptualized as an ego defense, the unconscious rechannelling of repressed emotions into somatic symptoms as a form of symbolic communication (organ language).P. S. Sutker/H. E. Adams, Comprehensive Handbook of Psychopathology (2001) p. 216

Sigmund Freud's case study of Anna O. featured a woman who suffered from numerous physical symptoms, which Freud believed were the result of repressed grief over her father's illness, although his assessment has been questioned by later research as treatment did not resolve her symptoms.{{Cite journal |last=Gupta |first=Deepti |author2=Perez Edgar |date=Jan 2012 |title=The role of temperament in somatic complaints among young female adults |journal=Journal of Health Psychology |volume=17 |issue=1 |pages=26–35 |doi=10.1177/1359105311405351 |pmid=21562070 |s2cid=20095444}}

Treatment for somatic symptom disorder typically combines different strategies for managing the patient's symptoms including regularly scheduled outpatient visits, psychosocial interventions (e.g., joint meetings with family members),Woolfolk, pp. 41–3{{medcn|date=December 2024}} psychoeducation, and treatment of prominent comorbid symptoms of anxiety or depression.{{cn|date=December 2024}}

Based on multiple systematic reviews, the initial suggested treatment for somatic symptom disorder is regular, scheduled outpatient visits every 4–8 weeks that are not based on active symptoms. These visits often focus on establishing a therapeutic alliance, legitimizing the somatic symptoms, and limiting diagnostic tests and referral to specialists.{{Cite journal |last1=Gordon-Elliott |first1=Janna S. |last2=Muskin |first2=Philip R. |date=November 2010 |title=An approach to the patient with multiple physical symptoms or chronic disease |journal=The Medical Clinics of North America |volume=94 |issue=6 |pages=1207–1216, xi |doi=10.1016/j.mcna.2010.08.007 |issn=1557-9859 |pmid=20951278}}{{Cite journal |last1=Croicu |first1=Carmen |last2=Chwastiak |first2=Lydia |last3=Katon |first3=Wayne |date=September 2014 |title=Approach to the patient with multiple somatic symptoms |journal=The Medical Clinics of North America |volume=98 |issue=5 |pages=1079–1095 |doi=10.1016/j.mcna.2014.06.007 |issn=1557-9859 |pmid=25134874}}

• Psychosomatic medicine
• Identified patient
• Somatosensory amplification
• Hypochondriasis
• Medically unexplained physical symptoms
• Nocebo
• Somatic marker hypothesis

{{Reflist|2|}}

• [http://www.priory.com/psych/pain.htm Pain and Somatization]

{{Defence mechanisms}}

Category:Somatic symptom disorders

Category:Defence mechanisms

Category:1920s neologisms