Somatoform disorders, which are also known as Briquet’s Syndrome, appear when someone is complaining of symptoms that cannot be explained by the presence of a disease. There are five main types of somatoform disorder, including Hypochondriasis, Conversion disorders, Body dysmorphic disorders, Pain disorders, and Somatisation disorder. If there is a family history of these issues, then there is a strong correlation to having them appear in several family members.
Facts About Somatoform Disorder
1. Women who have low economic status and lower levels of education are most at-risk of suffering from somatoform disorders.
2. Women are 10x more likely to suffer from somatoform disorders when compared to men. The prevalence rate in women is up to 2%, while in men it is up to 0.2%.
3. It is estimated that 0.1-0.5% of the general population are affected with somatisation disorder throughout their lives.
4. Conversion disorders may affect up to 10% of hospital patients and between 5-15% of psychiatric outpatients.
5. Body dysmorphic disorders occur equally in men and women, with young adults and adolescents most at risk of developing this somatoform disorder.
6. Pain disorders occur between the ages of 30 and 40 years and is more commonly found in women.
7. 10% of all medical patients will suffer from some form of hypochondriasis.
8. Up to 50% of primary care patients present with physical symptoms that cannot be explained by a general medical condition.
9. Patients presenting with somatization disorder must have at least two gastrointestinal complaints, four pain symptoms, one pseudoneurologic problem, and one sexual symptom.
10. Women who have another female family member with a somatoform disorder are 20% more likely to have one themselves.
11. 46% of the somatoform diagnosis in a recent series of university hospital psychiatric consultations were for somatization disorder. 21% where for Conversion disorder, 13% were Pain disorder, 7% were for hypochondriasis, and another 13% were for a NOS somatoform disorder.
12. 61% of patients referred to a neurology service have at least one symptom that cannot be medically explained.
13. 35% of first-time neurology referrals fulfill the diagnostic criteria for a somatoform disorder.
14. Outpatient referrals are 2x more likely to have a somatoform disorder compared with inpatient referrals.
15. Neurologists identify 50% of the total somatoform disorders that are diagnosed every year.
16. Some researchers believe that individuals with somatoform disorders feel pain differently than the general population.
17. 93% of hospital consultant episodes for somatoform disorders required hospital admission in England 2002-03.
18. The average length of a hospital stay for someone with a somatoform disorder: 1 day.
19. 80% of the hospital consultant episodes for elaboration of physical symptoms for psychological reasons required emergency hospital admission.
What is unique about somatoform disorders is that their appearance may be remarkably different from case to case. Some patients may have a significant history of disease and believe that they have relapsed when they have not. Others may have cycling periods of illness-related symptoms, yet never have evidence of a physical illness. Sometimes this may even lead to unnecessary surgeries to discover what may be causing the issues at hand.
Most patients receive extensive investigation of their symptoms, which may provide short-term relief, but many people with somatoform disorders are frequently left feeling unsatisfied with the results they have received from their treating doctors.
Somatoform Disorder Isn’t a Fake Disease
Sometimes people may think that someone suffering from somatoform disorders are faking the issues they are experiencing, but this isn’t the case. Someone with these disorders believes they are sick because they are experiencing real physical symptoms. This is why the issue is so extensively investigated, especially for those who present with problematic symptoms. Serious health issues must be ruled out before a somatoform disorder can be diagnosed.
This is why specialists, especially neurology specialists, are often responsible for the diagnosis. After the primary care physician rules out immediate concerns, the specialist will examine for more rare diseases or health problems. When those are ruled out, a somatoform disorder will be suspected.
The best form of treatment for somatoform disorders is to avoid medical treatments as much as possible. Providing individuals with ongoing support, counseling, and even cognitive behavioral therapy may be more beneficial than medication treatment. Prolonged medication therapies can result in organ damage and it is not uncommon for the symptoms of a somatoform disorder to last for several years.