It is well recognized that psychological stresses can induce illness in the body, however, less attention is paid to how somatic illnesses affect the mind. When something feels wrong it is natural to tune into bodily sensations. Chronic physical symptoms can initiate a vicious cycle between the mind and the body. Significant cognitive distress and impairment include reduced attention, memory, and information processing speed; and excessive focus on pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Worrying about the symptoms can lead to clinically recognizable anxiety and depression. If things get this bad, the resulting medical condition is called Somatic Symptom Disorder.
Not so long ago Somatic Symptom Disorder was dismissed as Hypochondriasis and, more recently, as Illness Anxiety Disorder. Somatic anxiety can be “triggered” by psychological stress or trauma as well as underlying organic conditions. Symptoms can include abdominal pain or upset stomach; rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat; chest pain; fatigue; dizziness; insomnia; sweating; dry mouth; trembling or shaking; and headaches, muscle aches, or tension.
[note: These symptoms should not be confused with symptoms of psychosomatic diseases that include essential arterial hypertension; duodenal ulcer; nonspecific ulcerative colitis; bronchial asthma; thyrotoxicosis; rheumatoid arthritis; cancer; neurodermatitis; and (particularly in older adults) urinary tract infections. The descriptions provided on this page do not constitute nor substitute for professional medical advice]
Somatic Medicine (and Integrated Medicine) balance the mind-body equation leading to early diagnosis and intervention that will spare undue suffering. To be fair, some individuals with Somatic Symptom Disorder do interpret normal body sensations as signs of serious illness. Nonetheless, chronic worry leads to excessive health checks, doctor visits, and avoidance of physical or social activities.
One underdiagnosed organic cause of Somatic Symptom Disorder is “Leaky Gut.” NP Danelle Debye discusses Leaky Gut.