Do you notice discomfort but can't find the reason? When you think you are sick or ill, does the doctor find nothing wrong? Sometimes we feel sick and yet there is nothing in our body to explain this discomfort. In Psychology-Online we want to explain why you might feel sick with nothing and what can you do about.
Don't worry, you are not the only one this happens to. In fact, according to the DSM, it happens to almost 2% of women. In men it occurs less frequently, 0.2%.
The somatization disorder has been known in psychology as hysteria or Briquet syndrome and it is a polysymptomatic disorder, that is, it can present various symptoms, which begins before the age of 30 (usually from the age of 25, although some women already present symptoms in adolescence) and that lasts for several years. It is characterized by a combination of gastrointestinal, sexual, pseudoneurological symptoms and pain.
According to the DSM criteria for the diagnosis of somatization disorder:
- The symptoms cannot be explained by the course of a disease or the effects of some substance.
- There must be a history of pain related to at least 4 areas of the body (head, back, chest, joints, abdomen ...) or with various functions (menstruation, intercourse ...).
- There must be at least 2 gastrointestinal symptoms and pain (nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, intolerances, bloating ...). This sometimes leads to unnecessary operations.
- At least 1 sexual or reproductive symptom. In women, irregular menstruation or vomiting is common during pregnancy and in men, erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction.
- A symptom that suggests a neurological disorder (coordination, balance, difficulty swallowing, hallucinations, sensation of pain, paralysis ...).
- Symptoms are not simulated as could occur in other disorders.
If you feel sick, the first thing to do is make sure that there is no physical reason to explain it. From a cold to a lack of vitamins or nutrients, going through a hormonal change. The doctor will evaluate your condition and they will look for the causes of your discomfort.
If the specialists do not find the cause of your discomfort, it is probably not due to something physical, but to something psychological, so in this case it would be necessary to proceed to see a mental health specialist.
Do not be scared thinking that you are crazy. Our brain has the power to cause certain symptoms even though nothing is physically wrong. This is called somatizing and is the explanation for not finding the problem on a physical level. You may come across malicious opinions or comments from some people. Somatizing is not inventing, so don't feel guilty about what happens to you.
Somatization disorder often has symptoms of anxiety disorders Y depressive disorder so it is interesting to seek psychological treatment. In addition, the excess of tests and even hospitalizations influence the patient.
It is common to confuse somatization disorder with illness or other mental disorders. To differentiate them, the DSM provides 3 criteria:
- Multiple organ involvement.
- Early onset and chronic course.
- No abnormalities characteristic of medical diseases in laboratory tests.
On the other hand, anxiety disorders frequently involve certain somatizations. If concerns are not limited to these symptoms, it is an anxiety disorder and not a somatization disorder. Although both can coexist.
Whether your source of distress is somatization disorder or other concerns, it is best to go to a mental health professional (psychologist or psychologist) to find the cause of your emotional distress.
If your case is the first, as we have already seen, some of the somatizations may be related to anxiety or depression. In both cases, psychological therapy will be of great help to reduce the symptoms.
If the reasons for your emotional distress are due to other causes:
- It is advisable review your satisfaction in the different areas of life in case there is one that affects you emotionally. And if so, work on it to make it more satisfactory.
- It is also of utmost importance work on your self-esteem and self-acceptance. Someone who does not feel comfortable with himself can hardly feel good with the rest of the world. Therefore we must start working from within.
- The lack of some skills or resources may be influencing and in that case they may be work and strengthen skills necessary.
- A review your beliefs and cognitive errors that we commit frequently, it will be of great help in your perception of the world. Here you will find a exercise to detect and eradicate cognitive distortions.
- The presence of a psychological disorder that requires treatment can be found in a professional evaluation. It can be associated with some life events, periods of stress, etc.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
