Somatoform disorders

[heather]

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

[HFHS MD-JM]

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

[heather]

Thank you for your response.  What are SSRI's?  Is nortriptyline one of them.  Does Somatoform disorder now mean that my body chemistry is somehow changed?  THat the burning and dizziness i am experiencing is because my body chemistry has been thrown off.  I fo not understand why severe stress could make me feel ill.  Also would the SSRIs help to eliminate the dizziness?  I have definitely had a complete medical work up including MRI, pulmonary function exam, thyroid blood tests, chest xray-etc.

thanks!