Somatizing, what does it mean? – Online Psychologists

When we talk about somatization, we are referring to a set of physical symptoms that cause discomfort and that cannot be medically explained by examining the body.

That is, where there is somatization, there are problems related to pain and discomfort for which no cause can be found through a medical examination.

Due to the difficulties in finding the origin of the problem, the attention of diagnosis and treatments often falls on the Somatic Nervous Systemthat is, the part of the nervous system that carries sensory information and serves as a channel for electrical impulses that activate the muscles.

He somatization disorderfrom the point of view of psychology, is a form of defense against emotional anxiety. The person has a emotional conflict which causes great anxiety but displaces it towards the suffering of physical symptoms.

Historically it was called Briquet syndromeand its prevalence is 2%, that is, it affects a fairly significant percentage of the population.

The cause of somatization is difficult to pinpoint and isolate, as there are many physical and psychological complications it produces.

However, according to research, somatizations are related to what is known in psychoanalysis as hysteria. Therefore, they are considered to be the result of certain psychological problems that struggle to emerge from the unconscious.

By statistics, Women are more likely to somatize than menand this usually occurs for the first time during youth, before the age of 30. In addition, correlations have been found between living a life linked to severe stressors, which explains why the poorest and least educated population is especially susceptible to experiencing cases of somatization.

This last piece of information may serve to suggest that somatizations have a situational component, and that therefore to study them it is necessary to understand not only the individual, but also his relationship with the environment.

The most common somatizations are related to the sexual problems (such as pain during penetration or erectile dysfunction), continuous headaches and joint pain. However, there are many symptoms that can fit into what we know as somatization:

Everything related to the nervous system must be treated from an approach that covers both the psychological and behavioral aspects of the person as well as the physical phenomena that can be addressed directly in the patient's body.

For this reason, it is advisable to medically monitor the evolution of somatization for which Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is provided.

A therapy that improves the patient's understanding of what is happening to him or her can be of great help. In this way, the person begins to realize that it is the difficulties in his or her life, both at work or studies and on a personal level, that are causing him or her to It is difficult to cope or what generates conflict.

The problem is that often, because the physical symptoms are so real, these people reject psychological treatment. If the person rejects that in their case their symptoms are of psychological origin, it is essential to begin by explaining to them what somatization is.

Ideally, the family doctor who usually sees this person should help him or her to gradually understand what is happening to him or her. If the person has to be referred to a psychologist or psychiatrist, it is important to explain that the fact that this is a somatization This doesn't mean you're making anything up. These are real symptoms, but you can learn to manage them so that they don't prevent you from living better.

If you think you may be suffering from these types of symptoms, it is very important to learn how to manage anxiety:

– Learn to manage the conflicts of daily life, with a person who guides you and helps you deal with them appropriately. In this sense, therapy is essential for you to feel progress in your day to day life.

– If the doctor recommends any anxiolytic or antidepressantthis can help. But therapy is necessary in the long term, since the way of behaving in the face of emotional conflicts must be changed. With support and persistence, great improvement can be achieved.

The starting point is to evaluate the symptoms, and once they are known in detail, we move on to establishing therapeutic objectives. Later, after a detailed explanation to the patient of what is happening and why, we will work to modify thoughts and behaviors.

The dysfunctional thoughts Not only do they not have a specific function, but they also cause more discomfort to the person who suffers from them. Working on these thought patterns is essential to help the person feel better.

The therapy will also boost the person's self-esteem, teaching them to accept their achievements, values, abilities and positive virtues and recognize them.

It is very important «realize» that there is an emotional problem. When you suffer from pain or physical discomfort and there is no organic cause to justify it, think about whether there is a problem that may be affecting you.

You must verbalize what's happening to youand call each thing by its name, without avoiding really facing it. For example, if you cannot handle a job that exceeds your psychological strength, it is very important to express it and tell it to yourself and to the people around you.

If necessary, go to a psychologistthe fact of recognizing what is happening to you makes us feel better and emotionally release part of the problem. It is therapy with a professional that will provide you with the necessary strategies to feel better and will teach you to manage emotional conflicts effectively.

To stop somatizing it is necessary to learn to think in a healthy wayAnd this is sometimes the main reason for going to therapy. It is not to cure you of an illness, but to learn to think differently.

For example, living in fear, resentment, sadness or anxiety can be causes that lead to psychosomatic illnesses. Don't miss the opportunity to learn to think in a more positive way. And one of the keys is: you control your emotions, your emotions should not control you.

If necessary, you should avoid those situations that cause you so much emotional distress. We know that it is not easy to leave a job or a personal relationship, however, sometimes you have to make that decision in order to improve. Chronic stress is worse for your body.

Review your lifestyle and change your habits. Find healthy support in friendships or even start doing activities that involve helping other people. Feeling supported by other people is extremely important.

You should also be patient with yourself and give yourself permission to vent. Crying and sharing your fears and emotions is necessary and highly recommended. You can read more about the effectiveness of relaxation in stressful situations here.

Changing your mindset is extremely important. Even if it were due to a real physical illness, a positive attitude makes that same illness change completely. It has been shown that a positive attitude can change the way you feel about yourself. positive attitude It improves heart rate, improves the body's defenses, causes us to generate endorphins that improve our physical well-being and improves your self-esteem.