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Somatic Symptom Disorder and Health Anxiety: Assessment and Management
Karoline S Sauer1, Michael Witthöft1, Winfried Rief2
1Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz, Wallstraße 3, Mainz 55122, Germany.
Neurologic Clinics
|September 29, 2023
Summary
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) redefined somatoform disorders as Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD) and Illness Anxiety Disorder (IAD). Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for these conditions.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Mental Health Diagnostics
Background:
- The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) introduced new diagnostic criteria for somatic symptom-related disorders.
- Previous diagnostic entities, such as somatoform disorders and hypochondriasis from the DSM-IV, were revised and replaced.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the diagnostic shifts from DSM-IV to DSM-5 concerning somatic symptom disorders.
- To highlight the key features differentiating Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD) and Illness Anxiety Disorder (IAD).
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of diagnostic criteria between DSM-IV and DSM-5.
- Review of empirical evidence for treatment efficacy.
Main Results:
- DSM-5 replaced DSM-IV somatoform disorders with SSD and IAD.
- SSD focuses on symptom-related thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, irrespective of a diagnosed medical condition.
- Diagnosis of SSD or IAD depends on the severity of somatic symptoms in individuals with health anxiety.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) demonstrates the strongest empirical support for treating both SSD and IAD.
- The DSM-5 reclassification aims for a more accurate and clinically relevant diagnosis of somatic symptom and anxiety-related disorders.
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