Somatization

Somatization is currently defined as "a tendency to experience and communicate somatic distress in response to psychosocial stress and to seek medical help for it".^[1]

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This can be, but not always, related to a psychological condition such as:^[2]

• Affective disorders (anxiety and depression)
• Somatoform disorders

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) have classified somatoform disorders in the DSM-IV and the World Health Organization (WHO) have classified these in the ICD-10.

Both classification systems use similar criteria, though due to limited medical knowledge in psychiatric medicine, differences of opinion are expected. Most current practitioners will use one over the other, though in cases of borderline diagnoses, both may be referred to.

See also

• Amplification (psychology)
• Medically unexplained physical symptoms
• Somatization disorder

References