Somatoform pain disorder is a phase of excruciating pain that lasts for months. No somatic - i.e. physical - causes can be found for the symptoms. It is very important that those affected do not just imagine this pain. It must be taken seriously.
Below you will find further information and clinics where somatoform pain disorder is treated.
The main symptom of the disorder is physical discomfort. The patient does not feign them and they are beyond their voluntary control. The German Pain Society describes that this pain can last for months. Physical examinations remain without findings, i.e. doctors find no cause for the pain.
This fact unsettles many sufferers. It must therefore be clear: The symptoms are real and the patient is not "crazy".
Somatoform pain disorders can make themselves felt in all organ systems and cause different symptoms. The following areas are most frequently affected:
In addition to the pain, patients report psycho-vegetative side effects such as
Somatoform pain disorders can also manifest as headaches and dizziness © Klaus Eppele | AdobeStock
In somatoform pain disorders, there is no physical cause for the symptoms. The patient is physically completely healthy. However, this does not bring any relief for those affected, as the pain persists.
For a long time, doctors explained the phenomenon as "hypochondria", in the sense of an "imaginary illness". Those affected reported a veritable "medical odyssey". This view falls short in any case: people who actually suffer from hypochondria take all pain as an indication that they are affected by a serious or incurable illness. Fears are in the foreground.
Patients with a somatoform pain disorder do not usually report such fears of illness. They simply want to live pain-free.
The disease "somatoform disorders" has the ICD-10 code F45.ff. ICD-10 is the diagnostic catalog of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Today, researchers and doctors know a great deal about psychosomatic complaints. It is known that there are complex interactions between the body and the psyche. Pain patients need not be afraid of being labeled as "hypochondriacs" or even hysterical.
For a reliable diagnosis, the GP will refer the patient to a pain specialist or a psychosomatic specialist.
They will carry out various examinations to better classify the pain:
The lifetime prevalence of somatoform pain disorder is less than one percent. This means that less than one percent of the population suffers from a somatoform pain disorder in the course of their lives.
In contrast, eleven percent of the population suffer from an undifferentiated pain disorder (F45.1) in the course of their lives. This diagnosis stands for complaints that do not fulfill the full picture of a somatization disorder.
The high comorbidity rate for somatoform pain disorders is striking. Patients with a pain disorder often also suffer from other illnesses such as
The reason for the symptoms is a disorder of stress and pain processing. Patients are therefore more sensitive to pain and stress than other people.
In most cases, psychological stress triggers the illness. This finding is plausible if you consider that the sensation of pain arises in the human brain, just like emotions. Mental and physical pain are therefore very closely linked.
In somatoform pain disorders, pain and negative emotions are combined . These negative feelings can be caused by situations of deprivation, experiences of loss or bullying. Those affected also report stressful experiences such as
Brain research has brought countless findings to light, influencing our understanding of the relationship between body and soul.
Early cultures and religions assume a separation of body and soul. This means that the soul exists independently of the body. In ancient times, for example, the Greek poet Homer described how the soul(psyché) breathes life into the body. Modern scientific findings are fueling the discussion of the mind-body problem.
For example, scientists have been able to use
to determine how pain impulses travel from the body to the brain. This allows conclusions to be drawn about the perception of pain.
These findings have led to a breakthrough: the idea that body and soul are separate from each other can no longer be upheld. Scientists from many fields are currently researching
are investigating the big question of how the interaction between body and soul works. A complex field of research with many unanswered questions.
However, one thing is certain: pain without a physical cause is real, explainable and treatable. The latest scientific findings and a 3D representation of the brain can be found, for example, on the website www.gehirn.info
Psychotherapy is the first choice in the treatment of a pain disorder. Somatoform pain disorder therapy aims to
Talk therapy can be combined with the following methods:
Painkillers play a subordinate role in pain therapy. They are mainly used as a short-term acute treatment.
The aim of the therapy is to change the patient's individual perception of pain. The patient learns to differentiate between emotions and pain. The patient should also practise allowing the emotions associated with the pain. As the therapy progresses, the therapist and patient look for other forms of expression for negative feelings.
The social environment and the quality of the patient's relationships also play an important role in the therapy. The patient should thoroughly reflect on their expectations of themselves and their environment as well as their behavior. They learn to recognize their needs and to take good care of themselves. The aim is for the patient to recognize situations of excessive demands more quickly and to be able to protect themselves from them.
In the course of the therapy
can be addressed. This has a relieving effect and reduces the pain.
Until a few years ago, the medical advice for pain was as follows: Put up with the discomfort and don't immediately resort to medication.
Today, medicine knows that the longer the pain lasts, the higher the risk of it becoming chronic. So if you suffer from physical pain repeatedly or for a long time, you should talk to your GP about it.
Clarify possible physical causes and also consider psychological triggers such as stress, anxiety or depression. For example, ask yourself whether there are any current stresses in your life that could be the cause of your symptoms.
Basically, the following are important
are the central pillars of a healthy life.
Some patients suffering from somatoform pain disorders become increasingly lethargic. They avoid social contact and are reluctant to leave their four walls. This behavior is not beneficial, because the goal is to remain as active as possible.
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