Key Takeaways
- Somatic symptom and related disorder is an umbrella term that includes different mental health conditions characterized by physical symptoms with no known cause.
- These conditions can be frightening to live with, but treatment has been shown to help.
- Some of the most effective treatment types for somatic symptom disorder include therapy, medication, psychoeducation, or a combination of these methods.
Somatic symptom disorder — formerly known as somatoform disorders — are a group of mental health conditions that include conversion disorder, pain disorder, factitious disorder, and more. Each condition has its own symptoms, but they’re all characterized by physical symptoms without a known cause.
Somatic symptom disorders affect up to seven percent of the general population. They can be extremely frustrating and painful to live with, in part because they can be tricky to diagnose. But treatment can help. With the right treatment, you can learn more about this condition and find new ways to manage its symptoms.
What are the most effective treatments for somatic symptom disorder?
The “best” treatment for somatic symptom disorder depends on your unique needs, preferences, and symptoms. What works for one person might not work for you — but most people will find that some combination of treatments helps them manage their symptoms.
Therapy
Talk therapy — specifically cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) — is one of the most effective treatment methods for somatic symptom disorders. CBT is widely used for various mental health concerns, including depression and anxiety, so it can be particularly helpful if you live with co-existing conditions.
CBT focuses on the relationship between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Your therapist might help you recognize how some of your thinking patterns contribute to your physical symptoms. A therapist can also help you learn new skills to cope with somatic symptoms.
Psychoeducation
Sometimes, learning about somatic symptom disorder can help. This is called psychoeducation. A health professional, like a therapist or a nurse, can walk you through information on somatic symptom disorders and how the condition affects your brain.
Understanding how your brain can cause physical symptoms like pain can help you become less attached to the symptoms themselves and see your experiences more objectively. It’s not about convincing you that your physical symptoms aren’t “real.” They’re legitimate and cause discomfort and pain. It’s more about understanding the way stress and anxiety can contribute to your symptoms so you can avoid or cope with these triggers.
Relaxation and mindfulness training
Mindfulness-based interventions have also been shown to be helpful. Mindfulness is an ancient practice now commonly used in Western medicine. In essence, it’s about staying present in each moment instead of getting lost in spirals of worry and rumination. Many mindfulness experts recommend using your breath to stay grounded.
Mindfulness and relaxation aren’t the same thing, but many people practice them together. In relaxation training, you learn specific techniques — like breathing exercises — that help calm your nervous system. This can be especially useful when you’re in a moment of high stress or anxiety.
Specific treatment methods, like acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), use mindfulness and breathing to reduce the anxiety often accompanying somatic symptom disorders.
Medication
Medication can also be used to treat somatic symptom disorder. This might include anti-anxiety medication to help reduce distress or anxious thoughts that may contribute to your symptoms. You might also be prescribed other types of medication to deal with physical symptoms like chronic pain. It’s important to work with your provider to determine if medication is right for you.
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How can you practice self-care while living with somatic symptom disorder?
Most people with somatic symptom disorder benefit from professional treatment. But there are also some lifestyle changes and self-care habits you can implement to better manage your symptoms.
Try these tips:
- Practice relaxation. Episodes of high stress can trigger symptoms of somatic symptom disorder. Manage your stress levels with relaxation techniques, like deep-breathing exercises. There are many free resources online you can use.
- Exercise. Research has shown that physical activity can improve somatic symptoms for some people. Find a way to move your body that feels good to you, like swimming, walking, or dancing. Exercise has also been shown to improve symptoms of other mental health conditions like depression.
- Avoid self-medicating. When you live with somatic symptom disorder, it can be tempting to self-medicate your symptoms with alcohol or drugs. While you might find temporary relief, these substances can make anxiety worse in the long run.
- Maintain your routine. Staying busy and keeping your routine can distract you from your symptoms. It’s important to continue reaching out to your community and engaging in hobbies that you enjoy to help prevent spirals of anxiety.
Build your treatment plan with expert support
Somatic symptom disorder is a serious and valid health condition, and you deserve quality care. They’re a highly misunderstood group of conditions, so it’s important to work with a therapist who has knowledge and expertise in this area.
Although there are some things you can do to manage life with somatic symptom disorder on your own, self-help practices can’t replace professional treatment. In addition, when you live with the physical symptoms that come with somatic symptom disorder, health professionals need to rule out other underlying medical conditions.
Because of this, it’s important to see a qualified healthcare provider about your symptoms. They can conduct assessments of your overall health and refer you to further mental health support if needed.
If you’re diagnosed with somatic symptom disorder, a therapist or other mental health professional can create a treatment plan tailored to your needs. They’ll work with you to understand when your symptoms started, what you’ve already tried, and what you’re willing to do to manage the symptoms. For example, if you’re unwilling to take medication, your mental health provider will take this into consideration when building your treatment plan.
It’s important to find a therapist with whom you feel comfortable and who takes your symptoms seriously. You can work collaboratively with them and your primary care provider to ensure you’re receiving the best possible care.
Find care with Rula
Getting a diagnosis and treatment for somatic symptom disorder can be confusing and frightening. You’re facing uncomfortable and sometimes even painful physical symptoms, and it can be discouraging to hear that there’s no underlying medical explanation for them. But treatment can help you find relief and reclaim your life.
On Rula, you can meet with a therapist over live video as soon as tomorrow to start working on managing somatic symptoms. Our network of 10,000+ therapists accept most major insurance carriers.
About the author
Saya Des Marais
Saya graduated with her Master in Social Work (MSW) with a concentration in mental health from the University of Southern California in 2010. She formerly worked as a therapist and motivational interviewing trainer in community clinics, public schools, mental health startups, and more.
Her writing has been featured in FORTUNE, GoodRX, PsychCentral, and dozens of mental health apps and therapy websites. Through both her clinical work and her personal OCD diagnosis, she’s learned the importance of making empathetic and accurate mental health content available online.
She lives in Portland, Oregon but you can find her almost just as often in Mexico or in her birthplace, Tokyo.
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