Two GI symptoms. One sexual symptom. Symptoms can not be explained by organic etiology or symptoms are in excess of what is expected from the medical evaluation. Symptoms are not intentionally produced. Clinical Features of Somatization Disorder Somatization disorder is chronic problem, and it often causes frequent seeking of medical treatment or multiple concurrent treatments.
Patients undergo multiple procedures, surgeries, and hospitalizations.
The disorder often begins during adolescence. Frequently encountered symptoms include nausea, vomiting, extremity pain, shortness of breath, and pregnancy or menstruation associated complaints. The frequency and severity of symptoms may vary with level of stress. Two-thirds of patients have coexisting psychiatric diagnoses. Mood and anxiety disorders and substance-related disorders are common in somatization disorder.