Somatization Disorder Causes & Risks

Causes

The cause of somatization disorder is not known.

There is no medical illness to explain the symptoms, and so the disorder is believed to be due to mental and emotional (aka psychological) causes. Often, symptoms seem to begin or get worse during stressful circumstances or in relation to emotional suffering (eg, loss of a friend, stress at work). It is as if these stressful life situations are experienced physically.

Researchers believe these components also may play a role in the disorder:

Genetics—it may run in your family
Psychosocial—it may be due to a combination of factors that include your mental and emotional well-being and your environment or situation

Risk Factors

The physical suffering that people with somatization disorder experience usually begins in the late 20s, but it can also begin during the teenage years. Individuals suffer for years and it often leads to many unnecessary medical tests and treatments.

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.

The following factors increase your chance of developing somatization disorder:

Low social class with little education
Sex–the disorder is more common in American women, although it is more common in men of non-American cultures (Greek, Puerto Rican)
Personality factors–individuals are more likely to develop this disorder if they tend to act in a way that is extremely emotional (also known histrionic)
Individuals with antisocial personality disorder , substance abuse disorders, anxiety , depression , or panic disorders
May occur more frequently in individuals who are unable to express their emotional distress through language (due to neurological disorders or mental retardation ), or in cultures that discourage the communication of emotional distress