Somatization Disorders

Somatization disorder is a chronic, severe disorder characterized by a collection of various types of physical illnesses that you may experience for which there are no physically identifiable causes.


The symptoms that you experience are more often purely psychological or part of your imagination and can last for a long time, sometimes for years. The disorder occurs more often in women than in men.


Causes
Although there is no clear evidence to pinpoint the cause of somatization disorders, it is widely thought to be the result of a combination of stress and genetic (runs in the family) disorder. Patients are often found with a long history of illnesses. Stress can worsen the symptoms and can lead to a negative impact on work and social relationships. The affected person visits the doctor and even takes medications for the same. People with somatization disorders can also suffer frompsychological problems such as personality disorders and too muchdependence on others.


Often it has been found that women with this disorder have malerelatives with personality disorders and/or a history of alcohol ordrug abuse which is also believed to trigger symptoms in these women.


Risk factors
The following are some of the risk factors associated with somatization disorders:

* Women are more at risk than men.
* If the disorder runs in your family.
* If you lead a highly stressful life.
* If you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome or chronic pain.
* If you have a male relative who has personality disorders or abuses alcohol or drugs.
* If you suffer from psychological disorders.
* If you have increased dependence on others.

The symptoms of somatization disorders are more often a message of appeal from patients who crave for help and attention.


These patients often have the yearning to be cared for every time.Displaying these problems can also be an excuse to avoid stress and theburdens that the responsibilities of adulthood bring along. Patientsmay also suffer from feelings of worthlessness and guilt and may keepaway from many activities that people generally find enjoyable.


Symptoms
The symptoms (see Box) of somatization disorders usually begin around the age of 30 and largely affect women. Sometimes it can appear during adolescence or early adulthood. Symptoms can “appear” in any part of the body with the patient categorizing each as “highly unbearable” or “indescribable”.


The patient often expresses multiple and vague physical symptoms. If patients feel people are not taking their complaints seriously, they can become very angry and may even threaten to commit suicide. They hardly get satisfied with their doctor’s advice or prescription and hence keep changing doctors often.


Prevention
It is difficult to prevent somatization disorders, but with timely counseling or other psychological interventions and the right treatment, the intensity of the symptoms can be reduced to a large extent. It is also very important for the patient to maintain a good, consistent relationship with her doctor to enhance treatment success.


Treatment
Somatization disorders can last for years and patients seldom feel complete relief because treating the disorder is a difficult task. The best possible way to keep symptoms at bay is to have a healthy and trusting patient–doctor bond. This can help the patient derive symptomatic relief. When a patient develops trust in her doctor, she may be encouraged to even avoid expensive and possibly dangerous diagnostic therapeutic procedures that can sometimes be life threatening.


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