DSM-5 replaced DSM-IV Somatisation Disorder, Undifferentiated Somatoform Disorder, and Pain Disorder with a new diagnosis. What is this diagnosis and what is its core defining criterion in DSM-5?

• A Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD); one or more distressing somatic symptoms with excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviours related to the symptoms ✓
• B Illness Anxiety Disorder; preoccupation with having a serious illness without somatic symptoms
• C Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder; neurological symptoms incompatible with known neurological disease
• D Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self; deliberate feigning of symptoms for sick-role adoption

Explanation

DSM-5 introduced Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD) to replace multiple DSM-IV somatoform categories. The defining criterion is one or more somatic symptoms causing distress or disruption, combined with disproportionate and persistent thoughts about seriousness, high anxiety about health, or excessive time and energy devoted to symptoms — present for at least 6 months. Crucially, SSD can be diagnosed even when a medical condition is present; the diagnosis rests on the psychological response to symptoms, not on symptoms being 'medically unexplained' (which was the flawed DSM-IV approach). Illness Anxiety Disorder is diagnosed when somatic symptoms are absent or mild but health preoccupation is prominent.

Reference: Kaplan & Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry, 11th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.