I Feel Sick But I Have Nothing: Why? And What Do I Do?

Don’t worry, you’re not the only one this happens to. In fact, according to the DSM, it happens to almost 2% of women. In men it occurs less frequently, 0.2%.

He somatization disorder has been known in psychology as Hysteria or Briquet Syndrome and it is a polysymptomatic disorder, that is, it can present various symptoms, which begins before the age of 30 (normally from the age of 25, although some women already present symptoms in adolescence) and which lasts for several years. It is characterized by a combination of gastrointestinal, sexual, pseudoneurological symptoms and pain.

According to the DSM criteria for the diagnosis of somatization disorder:

• The symptoms cannot be explained by the course of a disease or the effects of any substance.
• There must be a history of pain related to at least 4 areas of the body (head, back, chest, joints, abdomen…) or with several functions (menstruation, intercourse…).
• There must be at least 2 gastrointestinal symptoms and pain (nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, intolerances, bloating…). This sometimes leads to unnecessary operations.
• At least 1 sexual or reproductive symptom. Irregular menstruation or vomiting during pregnancy is common in women and erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction in men.
• A symptom that suggests a neurological disorder (coordination, balance, difficulty swallowing, hallucinations, sensation of pain, paralysis…).
• Symptoms are not simulated as could occur in other disorders.

If you feel sick, the first thing you should do is make sure that there is no physical reason that explains it. From a cold to a lack of vitamins or nutrients, to some hormonal change. The doctor will evaluate your condition and they will look for the causes of your discomfort.

If the specialists do not find the cause of your discomfort, it is likely that it is not due to something physical, but rather to something psychological, so in this case you should go to consult a mental health specialist.

Don’t be scared thinking you’re crazy. Our brain has the power to cause certain symptoms even though there is nothing physically wrong. This is called somatizing and is the explanation why they do not find the problem on a physical level. You may come across malicious opinions or comments from some people. Somatizing is not inventing so don’t feel guilty about what happens to you.

Somatization disorder often presents symptoms of anxiety disorders and depressive disorder, so it is interesting to seek psychological treatment. Furthermore, excessive testing and even hospitalizations influence the patient.

It is common to confuse somatization disorder with illnesses or other mental disorders. To differentiate them, the DSM provides 3 criteria:

1. Multiple organ involvement.
2. Early onset and chronic course.
3. No abnormalities characteristic of medical diseases in laboratory tests.

On the other hand, anxiety disorders frequently involve certain somatizations. If the concerns are not limited to these symptoms, it is an anxiety disorder and not a somatization disorder. Although both can coexist.

Whether your source of discomfort is suffering from a somatization disorder or other concerns, It is best to go to a mental health professional (psychologist or psychologist) to look for the cause of your emotional discomfort.

If your case is the first, as we have already seen, some of the somatizations may be related to anxiety or depression. In both cases, psychological therapy will be of great help to reduce symptoms.

If the reasons for your emotional discomfort are due to other causes:

• It is advisable review your satisfaction in different areas of life in case there is one that affects you emotionally. And if so, work on it to make it more satisfactory.
• It is also of utmost importance work on your self-esteem and self-acceptance. Someone who does not feel comfortable with themselves will hardly be able to feel good with the rest of the world. Therefore we must start working from within.
• The lack of some skills or resources may be influencing and in that case they can be work and strengthen skills necessary.
• A Review of your beliefs and cognitive errors that we frequently commit, will be of great help in your perception of the world. Here you will find an exercise to detect and eradicate cognitive distortions.
• The presence of a psychological disorder that requires treatment can be found in a professional evaluation. It may be associated with some life events, periods of stress, etc.

This article is merely informative, at PsychologyFor we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to I feel sick but I have nothing: why? and what do I do? we recommend that you enter our Clinical Psychology category.