Symptoms of somatic symptom disorder may be: specific sensations, such as pain or shortness of breath, or more general symptoms, such as fatigue or weakness unrelated to any medical issue that can be identified, or related to a medical condition such as cancer or heart disease, but more significant than what’s usually expected from a single symptom, multiple symptoms or varying symptoms.

Mild, moderate or severe pain is the most common symptom, but whatever your symptoms, you have excessive thoughts, feelings or behaviors related to those symptoms, which cause significant problems, make it difficult to function and sometimes can be disabling.

Excessive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors can include: having a high level of worry about potential illness, or considering normal physical sensations as a sign of severe physical illness.

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Fearing the medical seriousness of symptoms, even when there is no evidence to support that concern. Appraising physical sensations as threatening, harmful or causing problems.

Feeling that medical evaluation and treatment have not been adequate. Fearing that physical activity may cause damage to your body. Repeatedly checking your body for abnormalities. Frequent health care visits that don’t relieve your concerns or that make them worse. Being unresponsive to medical treatment or unusually sensitive to medication side effects. Having a more severe impairment than would usually be expected related to a medical condition.

For somatic symptom disorder, more important than the specific physical symptoms you experience is the way you interpret and react to the symptoms and how they impact your daily life.

When to See a Doctor

Somatic Symptom Disorder in an Arizona Divorce.

Because you’re concerned about physical symptoms and medical illness, you may start by seeing your primary care provider. Because symptoms can be related to health problems, it’s important to be evaluated by your healthcare provider if you aren’t sure what’s causing your symptoms. If your provider believes that you may have somatic symptom disorder, he or she may also refer you to a mental health provider.

Caring for a Loved One

When physical symptoms considered to be somatic symptom disorder occur, it can be difficult to accept that a life-threatening illness has been eliminated as the cause. Symptoms cause very real distress for the person and reassurance isn’t always helpful. Encourage your loved one to consider the possibility of a mental health referral to learn ways to cope with the reaction to symptoms and any disability it causes.

Physical disability may cause the person to be dependent and need extra physical care and emotional support that can exhaust caregivers and cause stress on families and relationships. If you feel overwhelmed by your role as a caregiver, you may want to talk to a mental health professional to address your own needs.

If you have questions about Somatic Symptom Disorder in an Arizona divorce case, you should seriously consider contacting the attorneys at Hildebrand Law, PC. Our Arizona divorce and family law attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience successfully representing clients in divorce disputes and family law cases.

Our family law firm has earned numerous awards such as US News and World Reports Best Arizona Family Law Firm, US News and World Report Best Divorce Attorneys, “Best of the Valley” by Arizona Foothills readers, and “Best Arizona Divorce Law Firms” by North Scottsdale Magazine.

Call us today at (480)305-8300 or reach out to us through our appointment scheduling form to schedule your personalized consultation and turn your Arizona divorce or family law case around today.

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Somatic Symptom Disorder in a Divorce in Arizona

Table of Contents

When to See a Doctor

Caring for a Loved One

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