Somatic symptoms and disorders are characterized by extreme or exaggerated physical pain, weakness or other sensations. These are often accompanied by thoughts, feelings and behaviors that are excessive or out of proportion to the illness. They can cause major emotional distress and interfere with daily functioning.

People with a somatic symptom disorder feel that they are sick even though medical tests have come back normal. They may believe that routine health problems are life-threatening and become dependent on others for help and emotional support, which can lead to conflict and anger if they don’t get the support they need. They are not faking their symptoms, and they do have real medical problems, but the response to these problems is out of proportion.

The most common somatic symptom disorder is somatization disorder, also called hypochondriasis. This condition involves a person’s main focus being on physical symptoms, such as weakness or fatigue, that they don’t have any other diagnosed medical condition associated with them. People with this condition will have frequent, urgent and repeated visits to medical professionals for evaluations and tests, but they are frequently reassured by negative test results or the presence of other, more serious disorders. The condition can last for several years and can make it very difficult to function at home, work or school.

Those who have somatic symptom disorder can develop other, more severe conditions like anxiety and depression. They can also have chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia or irritable bowel syndrome and they may have trouble maintaining healthy sleep habits.

Although it can be a difficult disorder to treat, treatment is available. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective approach to treating somatic symptom disorder. It teaches practical skills to change how a person thinks about their symptoms and teaches them to cope with their anxieties without using negative coping skills that promise quick fixes but end up adding to long-term stress and health issues.

If you know someone with somatic symptom disorder, be patient and supportive as you encourage them to seek mental health treatment. It will take time for them to learn how to manage their symptoms and regain control of their lives. It will be tempting to use negative coping skills, but that will only add to their anxiety and frustration and create more health and social problems. It’s important to find a therapist who is experienced with working with people who have somatic symptom disorder. You can easily find an experienced therapist on BetterHelp’s affordable, convenient online platform. Just complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you. Starts at $60 a week. Click here to get started.