Chioma (not real name) couldn’t
hold back her tears as she explained to me that her family doctor had referred
her to me because all her test results came back negative and couldn’t explain
her various symptoms. She had been on various treatments for several months but
was not getting any better therefore she thought her doctor had given up on her
when he decided to refer her to see a psychiatrist. After evaluating her, a
diagnosis of Somatoform Disorder was made. She was then educated on the the
nature of the illness and also placed her on medications. Since commencement of
her treatment Chioma has significantly improved and also reported that she is
now happier with her health.
Somatoform Disorders is an umbrella name for a group of psychiatric
disorders which present with numerous significant physical symptoms yet with no
medically explainable or evident cause. These disorders cause significant distress for patients and often difficult
to diagnose. What is characteristic in this psychological illness is that
despite several examinations and laboratory investigations pointing to the
absence of physical illness the individual still remains overly preoccupied
with being ill. He or she therefore repeatedly visit healthcare facility
searching for “cure” even though they have been repeatedly told that nothing
appears to be wrong with them. Collaboration with a mental health professional
can be helpful in making the diagnosis and the subsequent proper management of
a somatoform disorder.
Like I always say, “You are never without hope when you are better educated
about what you are dealing with.” Let’s spread the awareness and not the
stigma.
Remember, people with mental health challenges can live more productive
lives, talk to a professional today.
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