Physical & Somatic Issues

Physical issues without an obvious physical cause like unexplainable headaches, stomachaches, nonstop nausea, gastrointestinal issues, and back pain cause many people to suffer every day.

Treating professionals oftentimes struggle with respecting and understanding somatic problems, especially medical doctors![1]

Some people think that these issues are harmless psychological manifestations and that people are simply just complaining about nonsense. This is not true! These are real symptoms and they cause people great pain.[2] There is strong evidence that chronic stress causes adverse physical reactions in the body. Anxiety and depression as well as numerous other mental health issues are chronically stressful.

It may help to discuss some of the links between chronic stress and physical health. In the first moments when we feel stressed about anything, our body’s biochemistry changes in response to the stressor. Our heart rate accelerates, biochemical signals are sent into our blood stream, immune system, and gastrointestinal system. Measurable changes in cortisol levels, the stress hormone, can be detected in the blood moments after a stressor is introduced.

A normal and healthy reaction to a stressor is a return to homeostasis. The problem with chronic stress is that the body tends to get stuck in the high stress mode. This can cause immediate reactions such as higher blood pressure and gastrointestinal issues and longer-term somatic problems.

Studies have repeatedly shown that postsurgical patients who experience more stress need more pain medication. The biochemical changes that occur with stress cause inflammation that is associated with increased body pain, arthritis, and other inflammatory illnesses.

So, while the stress may originate in your head with the way you perceive a situation, the physical outcomes are physical. This connection is so strong that in a study that evaluated a large sample of adults, the investigators believed that Functional Somatic Syndromes (FSS) does not develop unless the patient experienced an early life trauma and chronic stress.[3] Additionally, symptoms of FSS increased and decreased in tandem with increases and decreases in the patient’s life stressors in 30% of the patients.[4]

Illnesses that ae considered Functional Somatic Syndromes include symptoms that modern medicine cannot explain in another way, including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Fibromyalgia syndrome, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), general fatigue or malaise, and abdominal or musculoskeletal pain.

However, the effect of chronic stress doesn’t stop with FSS. For example, “Chronic stress is a strong risk factor for type 2 diabetes . . . Moderate to high stress levels were associated with a 2.4-fold increase in the odds of diabetes three years later . . . perceived stress levels on incident impaired glucose metabolism in women over a five year period.”^[5] No one tells a diabetic that the condition is all in their head and they shouldn’t say that about Functional Somatic Syndromes either.

Skin conditions including psoriasis and dermatitis also tend to worsen when stress increases and improve when stress declines.

Current research provides a limited explanation of the causes of somatic conditions.[6] The ambiguous nature of somatic disorders is a cause for concern. Due to the ambiguity of the symptoms, patients who experience somatic symptoms often feel guilt and confusion that is centered on the unknown etiology or cause of their condition.[7]^, [8]

Consequently, many patients try to combat their feelings of shame by challenging their physician’s diagnosis. In these instances, clients implore their medical clinicians to examine them again to find the cause of their suffering.[9]^, [10]

Moreover, in an attempt to gain validation, some patients over-report their symptomology. Others may visit alternative medical providers in an effort to find validation from a mental health professional.[11] Patients with somatic symptoms need to be treated with particular sensitivity. More specifically, competent clinicians help to preserve their client’s integrity and facilitate successful treatment.[12]

The good news is that, “Over the last decade, considerable progress has been made in establishing the efficacy of CBT for the treatment of somatoform disorders.”[13] The theory is that therapy reduces the stress that causes the biochemical changes in the body that cause somatic illnesses and pain. When the stress level decreases, the body is able to return to homeostasis or at least a healthier state.

Assessments can help differentiate a somatic issue from a medical disorder or explain the interplay between the two. Please click here for more information. At our clinic, we take these issues seriously and have treated these problems successfully with our Neuro Therapy.

We believe in treating people with dignity.

If you need a letter for school or work or even need a prescription for a service animal, please don’t be afraid to ask! We enjoy advocating for our clients!