SOMATIC SYMPTOMS AND RELATED DISORDERS

SOMATIC SYMPTOM DISORDER

• "Soma" means body.

• Essentially emotional distress manifests physically (in the body)

• This condition is diagnosed when when a person becomes preoccupied with one or more physical symptoms to such a degree and extent that they are unable to go about their normal daily lives.

• There may be an actual underlying condition but the reaction to it is excessive.

• Pain could manifest practically anywhere e.g. head, chest, abdomen or joints. 

• It is often difficult for an individual to accept this diagnosis even when there is no evidence (appropriate examination and investigations) to support a physical cause. 

CONVERSION DISORDER

• Conversion means "to transform or change into something different". 

• In this case the conversion or change is the emotional agony which manifests as a physical condition.

• A person may present with problems in movement or sensation which cannot be explained by any other medical condition after appropriate investigation.

• If  medical disorder is present then the symptoms are in excess of what would be expected.

• Typically it has a neurological presentation (appears to be a condition associated with the brain or nervous system).

• For example, patients can present with stroke-like symptoms or seizures.