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Somatic Symptom Disorder - Harvard Health

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A person with somatic symptom disorder has one or more "somatic" (physical) symptoms over a long period of time (usually half a year or more). Symptoms may or may not be explained fully by another medical diagnosis. The person may be reacting to normal bodily sensations or a minor illness. He or she may have a strong tendency to worry about illness or feel more threatened than average by health concerns. But the person is not "faking." The symptoms cause authentic distress. The person may: Seek care from more than one physician at the same time. Not feel reassured by the evaluation or treatment received. Be unresponsive to medical treatment. Be particularly sensitive to adverse effects of treatment. People with somatic symptom disorder do get other serious medical illnesses. Therefore, doctors must be careful not to dismiss symptoms too easily. A person with somatic symptom disorder also may have symptoms of anxiety and depression. He or she may begin to feel hopeless and attempt suici

July 8, 2025 Reviewed by Robert H. Shmerling, MD , Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing Share {} }" > Share this page to Facebook Share this page to X Share this page via Email { this.copied = true; setTimeout(() => this.copied = false, 1000); }); } }" > Copy this page to clipboard Print This Page Click to Print What is somatic symptom disorder? A person with somatic symptom disorder has one or more somatic (physical) symptoms over a long period of time (usually half a year or more). Symptoms may or may not be explained fu

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