From parent levels
ChapterVMental and behavioural disordersOpen
BlockF40-F48Neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disordersOpen
CategoryF45Somatoform disordersOpen
The main feature is repeated presentation of physical symptoms together with persistent requests for medical investigations, in spite of repeated negative findings and reassurances by doctors that the symptoms have no physical basis. If any physical disorders are present, they do not explain the nature and extent of the symptoms or the distress and preoccupation of the patient.
Exclusions
- dissociative disorders (F44.-)
- hair-plucking (F98.4)
- lalling (F80.0)
- lisping (F80.8)
- nail-biting (F98.8)
- psychological or behavioural factors associated with disorders or diseases classified elsewhere (F54)
- sexual dysfunction, not caused by organic disorder or disease (F52.-)
- thumb-sucking (F98.8)
- tic disorders (in childhood and adolescence) (F95.-)
- Tourette syndrome (F95.2)
- trichotillomania (F63.3)
Somatization disorder
The main features are multiple, recurrent and frequently changing physical symptoms of at least two years duration. Most patients have a long and complicated history of contact with both primary and specialist medical care services, during which many negative investigations or fruitless exploratory operations may have been carried out. Symptoms may be referred to any part or system of the body. The course of the disorder is chronic and fluctuating, and is often associated with disruption of social, interpersonal, and family behaviour. Short-lived (less than two years) and less striking symptom patterns should be classified under undifferentiated somatoform disorder (F45.1).
Inclusions
- Briquet disorder
- Multiple psychosomatic disorder
Exclusions
- malingering [conscious simulation] (Z76.5)