Somatic Symptom Disorder: What It Is & Ways to Manage Somatic Mental Health Symptoms

October 9, 2025

Authored by: Veronica Silver, MA

Edited by: Emma Loker, B.S

It’s not unusual to experience physical issues, such as aches, pains, and discomfort. These are natural parts of life and can occur more frequently as we age. But for some people, physical issues like these stick around, even when medical tests don’t show any clear reason for why or provide an explanation. As a result of this experience, many people are left feeling confused, frustrated, and like the pain is “all in their head.”

This is when somatic symptom disorder might enter the picture, and it’s actually more common than people might think. In fact, some studies report that 5% to 7% of the general population – and 17% of the primary care patient population – experience these mental health physical symptoms.¹

If physical issues are impacting your day-to-day life, and there’s no clear medical reason for why, a mental health professional can help. They’re experienced in understanding how certain conditions can manifest in physical ways and could assist you in getting to the source of your issues. This page can also work as a useful guide to somatic symptom disorder, as it takes a closer look at:

What somatic symptom disorder is
How somatic symptom disorder differs from related conditions
Why somatic symptoms happen
Somatic disorder treatment options
Where to find professional support for somatic symptoms
Answers to frequently asked questions about somatic symptom disorder

What Is Somatic Symptom Disorder?

According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), somatic symptom disorder (SSD) is a mental health condition where someone experiences physical symptoms that cause major distress or difficulty functioning.² For instance, they may have headaches, stomach pain, or fatigue. They might also have excessive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are related to the physical symptoms. These symptoms may or may not be related to a diagnosable medical condition, but, either way, the person believes they are sick.

A diagnosis of somatic symptom disorder is less about whether there is an identified cause for the physical symptoms. It’s more about how excessive the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to the illness are. For example, you might spend a large amount of time thinking or talking about symptoms or engaging in behaviors to alleviate them to the extent that it interrupts your daily life.

If you suspect that you or someone you know might have somatic symptom disorder, the following criteria used for diagnosis might help.

Criteria to Diagnose SSD

In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), the criteria to diagnose somatic symptom disorder include:³

Excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to physical symptoms or health concerns. These might manifest in one of the following ways:
- Disproportionate or constant thoughts about the seriousness of the illness
- Persistent high levels of anxiety about the symptom(s)
- Dedicating large amounts of time or energy to these symptoms and health concerns
Physical symptoms that last for at least six months
One or more somatic symptoms that result in disruption to daily life or are emotionally distressing

If you have somatic symptom disorder, you may be more likely to see a medical doctor rather than a mental health practitioner. You might also have difficulty understanding that your concerns are excessive. However, you are not alone in these experiences, and a mental health professional can help you regain control over your symptoms and life.

Symptoms of SSD

People with SSD typically experience physical issues like pain, dizziness, or numbness that may or may not be explained by medical issues. However, people with SSD often also show the following thoughts, feelings, or behaviors:⁴

Viewing normal physical feelings as signs of a severe condition
Constantly worrying about potential illnesses
Fearing symptoms are serious or threatening when there is no evidence of this being the case
Feeling that medical evaluation and treatments have been inaccurate or insufficient
Repeatedly checking the body for abnormalities
Extreme anxiety related to physical symptoms
Seeking treatment from multiple providers
Receiving various medical tests and medical exams, but not believing the results

Not everyone with SSD will experience all of these symptoms, and they could have some symptoms that aren’t listed. Ultimately, the main aspect of this condition is the level of distress and the disproportionate amount of time it takes up in someone’s life.

How SSD Differs From Related Conditions

There are several conditions that are related to somatic symptom disorder. In the DSM-5, this category of conditions is referred to as “Somatic Symptom and Related Conditions.” However, while there are some overlapping symptoms, SSD is unique in how it shows up in everyday life. The following are some of the disorders that are often linked to SSD and how SSD differs:

Illness Anxiety Disorder

Illness anxiety disorder (IAD), previously known as “hypochondriasis,” is an incessant and excessive worry about having or developing a severe medical illness despite having normal exams and lab results.⁵ In general, IIAD is more about the fear of being sick rather than the actual symptoms. The difference between IAD and SSD is that those with SSD actually experience ongoing physical symptoms that are very real and distressing.

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)

Functional neurological disorder, also known as “conversion disorder,” is when a person experiences physical symptoms that affect their movement or senses without any neurological or medical explanation.⁶Examples of symptoms might include blindness, paralysis, or difficulties walking or speaking. The difference between FND and SSD is that FND focuses on specific neurological conditions and does not require extensive worry to be part of the diagnostic criteria.

Factitious Disorder

Factitious disorder, previously known as “Munchausen syndrome,” is about intentionally faking or bringing about physical symptoms to gain sympathy, avoid responsibility, or get attention.⁷In contrast, with somatic symptom disorder, the person is not faking and is experiencing real physical symptoms.

Therefore, the key difference between SSD and factitious disorder is that someone with SSD isn’t imagining or exaggerating. Their pain, fatigue, or discomfort is real – it’s just that their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors about these symptoms are disrupting life.

Why Somatic Symptoms Happen

Somatic symptoms don’t just appear out of thin air. They often develop because the mind and body are deeply connected. For some people, physical symptoms become the body’s way of expressing what words cannot.

Medical and mental health professionals don’t fully understand the causes of SSD yet, but some factors that may contribute include:

Stress and anxiety: Stress and anxiety, especially around body processes, might contribute to physical issues. Over time, these stress-related physical symptoms can develop into somatic symptom disorder.
Trauma: Trauma, such as childhood physical or sexual abuse, can manifest as physical symptoms that contribute to SSD.
Heightened body awareness: People living with SSD often pay close attention to every small physical sensation, which can amplify the intensity of their discomfort.

The reality of the mind-body connection is that our physical and emotional health are constantly influencing each other. When the body sends out signals, the mind interprets them – sometimes misinterpreting them – creating a cycle where anxiety fuels symptoms and symptoms fuel anxiety further.

Effective Methods for Managing Somatic Symptoms

People often turn to medical doctors for support for SSD, but mental health counseling can also provide the mental wellness support that people need to manage symptoms.

Coping with somatic disorders typically involves using a combination of approaches that address both the mind and body. The following are some of the mental health treatments that professionals often use to help people cope with SSD.

1. Therapy for Somatic Symptom Disorder

Therapies that help with somatic disorder intervention include:

Somatic experiencing therapy (SE): A body-based therapy that focuses on noticing and gently releasing tension that gets “stuck” in the nervous system. It uses a combination of body awareness methods, like breathwork and movement, to regulate the nervous system and process and release trapped energy.⁸
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT works by identifying and shifting unhelpful thought patterns and calming health-related anxieties. It helps to break the cycle between worry and physical symptoms.⁹

2. Mind-Body Therapy

Gentle movement: Activities like yoga, stretching, or walking can help ease muscle tension and improve mood.¹⁰
Breathing exercises: Slow, intentional breathing signals to the nervous system that it’s safe to relax.¹¹
Body scans: Taking a few minutes to notice areas of tightness or discomfort, then consciously relaxing them, can build a healthier connection with your body.
Mindfulness practices: Techniques like meditation, grounding exercises, or deep breathing bring awareness back to the present moment, reducing the spiral of focusing too closely on symptoms.

Somatic disorder recovery isn’t about a single solution. It typically requires a combination of approaches to help address physical symptoms while managing the anxieties and worries connected to those symptoms. A healthcare professional can help you understand the best approaches for your symptoms and needs.

Mission Connection: Professional Support for Somatic Symptoms

Living with somatic symptom disorder can feel confusing and even isolating, especially when your physical discomfort doesn’t come with clear medical explanations. But your symptoms are real and deserve support.

At Mission Connection, we take a compassionate, whole-person approach to treatment. Our outpatient programs combine evidence-based treatment, like CBT, with body-based approaches such as mindfulness to help you build resilience and find relief.

For those searching for psychosomatic disorder care, we’re here to support you. Whether you’re looking for individual therapy, group support, or medication management, we’ll find a treatment plan that fits your symptoms and needs.

If you’re ready to take the next step toward feeling more in control of your health and well-being, reach out to us today. Together, we’ll work toward treatment that values both your body and mind.

Frequently Asked Questions About Somatic Symptom Disorder

While the aim of this page is to help broaden your understanding of somatic symptom disorder, you may still have some questions or concerns about your experiences. For this reason, we’ve provided some responses to FAQs about SSD.

Is Somatic Symptom Disorder the Same as Hypochondria?

No, somatic symptom disorder is not the same as hypochondria. Hypochondria, which is now known as anxiety illness disorder, is more about the fear of having or getting a serious medical condition. Somatic symptom disorder, on the other hand, is about having a real physical concern where the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors around that concern impair daily life.

Can SSD Cause Real Physical Pain?

Yes, SSD can absolutely cause real physical pain. Pain is actually the most commonly reported physical symptom in those who are diagnosed with SSD.¹²

Can SSD Go Away on Its Own?

Somatic symptom disorder does not typically go away on its own. It’s often a chronic condition that only improves with treatment. However, episodes may come and go. But for long-term relief, it’s best to seek physical and mental health support.

How Can Mission Connection Help With Somatic Symptom Disorder?

Mission Connection uses a combination of evidence-based approaches and body-based methods to focus on the connection between the mind and body. Using approaches like CBT and mindfulness, we work with you to change unhelpful thought patterns and increase awareness of your bodily sensations. We also encourage movement to release the buildup of tension and anxiety that contributes to worsening physical symptoms.

References

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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US). (2016 June). Table 3.31, DSM-IV to DSM-5 Somatic Symptom Disorder Comparison – Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 Changes on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519704/table/ch3.t31/
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Mayo Clinic. (2024, December 18). Factitious disorder – Symptoms and causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/factitious-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20356028#:~:text=Factious%20disorder%20imposed%20on%20another%0A%0AFactitious%20disorder%20imposed,disease%20in%20another%20person%20to%20deceive%20others.
Salamon, M. (2023, July 7). What is somatic therapy? Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-is-somatic-therapy-202307072951
Liu, J., Gill, N. S., Teodorczuk, A., Li, Z., & Sun, J. (2018). The efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy in somatoform disorders and medically unexplained physical symptoms: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Affective Disorders, 245, 98–112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.10.114
Mayo Clinic. (2025, March 26). Exercise and stress: Get moving to manage stress. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/exercise-and-stress/art-20044469
Russo, M. A., Santarelli, D. M., & O’Rourke, D. (2017). The physiological effects of slow breathing in the healthy human. Breathe, 13(4), 298–309. https://doi.org/10.1183/20734735.009817
Cleveland Clinic. (2025, June 2). Somatic symptom disorder in adults. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17976-somatic-symptom-disorder-in-adults