Somatoform disorder (patient information)

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Synonyms and Keywords: Pain disorder

Overview

 * Somatoform pain disorder is pain that is severe enough to disrupt a person's everyday life.


 * The pain is like that of a physical disorder, but no physical cause is found. The pain is thought to be due to psychological problems.


 * The pain that people with this disorder feel is real. It is not created or faked on purpose (malingering).

What are the symptoms of Somatoform disorder?

 * The main symptom of somatoform pain disorder is chronic pain that lasts for several months and limits a person's work, relationships, and other activities.


 * Patients are often very worried or stressed about their pain.

What causes Somatoform disorder?

 * In the past, this disorder was thought to be related to emotional stress. The pain was often said to be "all in their head."


 * However, patients with somatoform pain disorder seem to experience painful sensations in a way that increases their pain level. Pain and worry create a cycle that is hard to break.


 * People who have a history of physical or sexual abuse are more likely to have this disorder. However, not every person with somatoform pain disorder has a history of abuse.


 * As researchers learn more about the connections between the brain and body, there is more evidence that emotional well-being affects the way in which pain is perceived.

When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your health care provider if you or your child experiences chronic pain.

Diagnosis

 * A thorough medical evaluation, including laboratory work and radiologic scans (MRI, CT, ultrasound, x-ray), is done to determine possible causes of the pain.


 * Somatoform pain disorder is diagnosed when these tests do not reveal a clear source of the pain.

Treatment options

 * Prescription and nonprescription pain medications often do not work very well. These medications also can have side effects, and may carry the risk for abuse.


 * Chronic pain syndromes of all types can often be treated with antidepressants and talk therapy.


 * Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a kind of talk therapy, can help you deal with your pain. During therapy, you will learn:
 * To recognize what seems to make the pain worse
 * To develop ways of coping with the painful body sensations
 * To keep yourself more active, even if you still have the pain


 * Antidepressant medications also often help with both the pain and the worry surrounding the pain. Commonly used antidepressants include:
 * Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), fluvoxamine (Luvox), citalopram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro)
 * Tricyclic antidepressants


 * Some patients may not believe that their pain is connected to emotional factors and may refuse these treatments.


 * Supportive measures that also can be helpful include:
 * Distraction techniques
 * Hot and cold packs
 * Hypnosis
 * Massage
 * Physical therapy
 * Stress reduction exercises

Where to find medical care for Somatoform disorder?
[Directions to Hospitals Treating Somatoform disorder

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

 * The outlook is worse for patients who have had symptoms for a long time. Your outlook will improve if you can start doing your previous activities, even with the pain.


 * Seeking out a mental health professional who has experience treating people with chronic pain has been shown to improve outcomes.

Possible complications

 * Addiction to prescription pain medications (if they are not used correctly)
 * Complications from surgery
 * Depression and anxiety

Support groups
People with this disorder may benefit from treatment at pain centers.

Source
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000922.htm