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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Somatoform disorders
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
Somatoform disorders
by heather, Jun 15, 2000 12:00AM
I was recently diagnosed with this after 7 months of continual panic attacks, shortness of breath, dizziness, weak arms and legs, heavy chest pressure, back pain and skin and eye burning. I am to see my doctor next week and he said that he can help me with medications that will help me feel more comfortable. What could these be? I have been exercising and taking Nortriptyline neither of which are helping. I am not getting better at all even though I have totally accepted that I my physical symptoms were caused initially by stress. What is happening with the body chemistry exactly when it is somatoform? I don't totally understand it. I just get these dizzy spells and feel like I have sea legs along with intense eye burning. What can help this of the Nortriptyline has not. I have also taken xanax with no relief. Does this actually Go Away ever?
Heather
Heather
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS MD-JM, Jun 15, 2000 12:00AM
Heather,
Somatization is the process of expressing psychological distress in the form of bodily(or somatic) complaints. It is also very important that a medical conditon has been ruled out and that psychological distress is present. This process is subconcious and involuntary. Everyone somatizes at some point in time but, when it becomes a chronic pattern then it most likely indicates a somatoform disorder. Somatization can be part of a somatoform disorder, another psychiatric disorder such as depression, or part of a normal response. Medications such as the SSRI's may be helpful. Psychotherapy to explore some of the stressful issues may also be helpful. Good luck.
Sincerely,
HFHS MD-JM
Somatization is the process of expressing psychological distress in the form of bodily(or somatic) complaints. It is also very important that a medical conditon has been ruled out and that psychological distress is present. This process is subconcious and involuntary. Everyone somatizes at some point in time but, when it becomes a chronic pattern then it most likely indicates a somatoform disorder. Somatization can be part of a somatoform disorder, another psychiatric disorder such as depression, or part of a normal response. Medications such as the SSRI's may be helpful. Psychotherapy to explore some of the stressful issues may also be helpful. Good luck.
Sincerely,
HFHS MD-JM
thanks!