Sometimes it happens with all of us that we start feeling headaches but when we get it checked, we do not find a reason for the headaches. This type of a headache usually goes away as our stress levels go down. But, when the headaches become persistent and you do not find any reason for the headaches, it might be that you are suffering from Somatoform Disorder.
What is Somatoform Disorder?
Somatoform disorder is a mental illness where the person feels physical pain and even shows the symptoms of the physical pain and yet it happens because of psychological factors. People who are suffering from this illness, usually are suffering from anxiety disorder as well.
People who are suffering from this disorder will believe that they have a severe medical condition. Hence, they will start taking different medical tests, and they will keep on doing them. They will be constantly worried about their condition, but all the physical test will show the negative results. Which, then causes them a lot of anxiety. But, it is also important to note that the symptoms the person is showing are real. Thus, the pain the person is feeling is real. Hence, they are not faking it.
Types of Somatoform Disorder
There are several types in this form of illness. Below are few of the types:
Somatization Disorder:
In this, the person usually feels severe pain or neurological symptoms. Thus, the person will complain of a headache or fatigue. The person can show digestive symptoms, i.e. abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, vomiting etc. Also, the person can show sexual symptoms, i.e., facing a lot of pain during sexual activity, loss of desire for sexual activities, extreme pain during periods for women.
Hypochondriasis:
In this, the person starts to believe that minor symptoms in their body are because of major issues. Thus, if a person is hearing grumbling noise from his stomach, they will start to believe that they have stomach cancer. Hence, the minor issues start seeming major issues to the person.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder:
The person starts to feel that there is a flaw in the way they look. Thus, they become obsessed with that flaw within them and start worrying about it. The flaw they are worried about might be a very minor flaw or it is even possible that the flaw doesn’t actually exist. But, they will be constantly worried about their physical appearance. Most common concern for people are, they are having excessive hair loss and are going bald, or they are gaining a lot of weight, or the size or shape of their eyes, nose, breasts etc.
Conversion Disorder:
The person starts experiencing neurological disorders even when there are no signs of any neurological disorder. The physical symptoms of the person will be similar to the neurological disorder but, there will be no proof of any neurological disturbances. Most common concerns are vision loss, hearing loss, paralysis of any part of the body, seizures or even thinking that you are pregnant.
This disorder becomes more serious when stress plays a factor. Hence, if you or someone you know is suffering from this disorder, then please visit a mental health professional immediately.
