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Somatization disorder (or Briquet's disorder) is a type of mental
illness in which a patient manifests a psychiatric condition as
a physical complaint. One prevalent general etiological explanation
is that internal psychological conflicts are unconsciously expressed
as physical signs.
Somatization disorder is characterized by repeated complaints
of physical illness over an extended period of time, that are
not related to actual organic illness or injury, and begins in
early adulthood. It is a somatoform disorder. The DSM-IV establishes
the following five criteria for the diagnosis of this disorder:
a) A history of somatic symptoms prior to
the age of 30.
b) Pain in at least four different sites
on the body.
c) Two gastrointestinal problems other than
pain such as vomiting or diarrhea.
d) One sexual symptom such as lack of interest
or erectile dysfunction.
e) One pseudo-neurological symptom similar
to those seen in Conversion disorder such as
 fainting
or blindness.
Such symptoms cannot be related to any medical condition. The
symptoms do not all have to be occurring at the same time, but
may occur over the course of the disorder. The person does not
feel they have any specific illness that symptoms are a sign of,
they are simply concerned with the symptoms themselves. If a medical
condition is present, then the symptoms must be excessive enough
to warrant a separate diagnosis. Two symptoms cannot be counted
for the same thing e.g.if pain during intercourse is counted as
a sexual symptom it can not be counted as a pain symptom. Finally,
the symptoms cannot be being feigned out of an effort to gain
attention or anything else by being sick, and they can not be
deliberately inducing symptoms.
Somatization disorder is about two times more common among women
than men. There is usually co-morbidity with other psychological
disorders particularly mood or anxiety disorders. According to
the DSM-IV, the disorder has a lifetime prevalence of 0.2% in
males and 0.2% to 2% in females. This condition is chronic and
has a poor prognosis.
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