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Somatic Symptom Disorders 

 

Please find below a list of disorders that are currently proposed for the diagnostic category, Somatic Symptom Disorders. This category contains diagnoses that were listed in DSM-IV under the chapter of Somatoform Disorders. The Somatic Symptom Disorders Work Group has been responsible for addressing these disorders. Among the work group’s recommendations is the proposal to rename this category Somatic Symptom Disorders. Because the current terminology for somatoform disorders is confusing and because somatoform disorders, psychological factors affecting medical condition, and factitious disorders all involve presentation of physical symptoms and/or concern about medical illness, the work group suggests renaming this group of disorders Somatic Symptom Disorders. In addition, because of the implicit mind-body dualism and the unreliability of assessments of “medically unexplained symptoms,” these symptoms are no longer emphasized as core features of many of these disorders. Since Somatization Disorder, Hypochondriasis, Undifferentiated Somatoform Disorder, and Pain Disorder share certain common features, namely somatic symptoms and cognitive distortions, the work group is proposing that these disorders be grouped under a common rubric called Complex Somatic Symptom Disorder. Furthermore, the diagnosis of Factitious Disorder can now be found under the diagnostic chapter Other Disorders. We appreciate your review and comment on these disorders.

Related Links

  American Psychiatric Association
  Proposed DSM-5 Organizational Structure
  Recent Updates to Proposed Revisions for DSM-5