What characterizes Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders?

Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders are primarily characterized by the presence of prominent somatic symptoms that cause significant distress and impairment in daily functioning. Individuals with these disorders experience physical complaints that may or may not have a clear medical explanation, but the impact of these symptoms on their emotional state and quality of life is profound.

These disorders encompass a variety of presentations, including Somatic Symptom Disorder, Illness Anxiety Disorder, and Conversion Disorder, among others. The key feature is that the focus is on how these somatic symptoms lead to psychological distress and functional challenges, rather than solely being rooted in a psychiatric condition. This sets them apart from purely psychiatric disorders, where physical symptoms are not the primary focus.

While options focusing on the absence of physical symptoms or chronic fatigue may touch on aspects related to somatic symptoms, they do not encompass the broader reality of the distress and functional impairment that defines the disorders in this category.