Somatic symptom disorder

Distressing physical symptoms with disproportionate symptom focus, checking, repeated healthcare use

RoutineReview due

Compare (7)

At a glance

High-risk causes: 3
Related differentials: 6

Safety snapshot

Watch forIatrogenic harmhidden depression/traumagenuine disease overlooked

Presentation hinge

Driven by excessive time, energy, and distress around symptoms, not by symptoms being fake.

Separates the Somatic Symptoms / Illness Anxiety / Functional Neurological Symptoms / Factitious Presentation group. It is not specific to Somatic symptom disorder.

Clinical review

Rows marked “Whole group”: Applies to the Somatic Symptoms / Illness Anxiety / Functional Neurological Symptoms / Factitious Presentation group — not specific to Somatic symptom disorder

Why it fits

Distressing physical symptoms with disproportionate symptom focus, checking, repeated healthcare use

Key features

Must-not-miss

Iatrogenic harm, hidden depression/trauma, genuine disease overlooked.

High-risk causes3 causes

Iatrogenic harm
hidden depression/trauma
genuine disease overlooked

Bedside question

Applies to the Somatic Symptoms / Illness Anxiety / Functional Neurological Symptoms / Factitious Presentation group.

Driven by excessive time, energy, and distress around symptoms, not by symptoms being fake.

Helpful clues

Immediate action

Applies to the Somatic Symptoms / Illness Anxiety / Functional Neurological Symptoms / Factitious Presentation group.

None listed

Priority steps

Investigations

Applies to the Somatic Symptoms / Illness Anxiety / Functional Neurological Symptoms / Factitious Presentation group.

None listed

Core tests

Mimics / overlap

Applies to the Somatic Symptoms / Illness Anxiety / Functional Neurological Symptoms / Factitious Presentation group.

None listed

Consider

Clinical reference — not validated decision support. Review before use.