Somatic Symptom Disorder

We tend to think that mental problems show themselves only through the brain, or merely as low mood. But we often forget that our body and mind are inseparable. They are so intertwined that when your mood is low or you are anxious, you will see the effects physically too. Our body sends signals of mental distress.

Today we talk about exactly such a disorder, in which a person becomes so preoccupied with their physical symptoms that they believe the problem truly lies in the body and that this illness may not go away easily. In this disorder there is often pain in the arms and legs, a feeling of pressure in the chest, aching limbs, sleeplessness, headaches, chest pain, and sometimes even allergy-like skin problems.

People with this disorder consult many doctors and change doctors again and again, yet no disease or cause can be found.

When this happens, the first thing to look for is whether there is some unexpressed mental anguish, some stress (perhaps trouble at the office or at home), or some long-suppressed pain or trauma.