Somatisation disorder
Possible causes of medically unexplained symptoms
Manypeople with medically unexplained symptoms, such as tiredness , pain and Palpitations ,also have depression or anxiety .
Treatingan associatedpsychological problem can often relieve the physical symptoms.
For others, the symptoms may be part of a poorly understood syndrome, such as:
- chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) also known as ME
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- fibromyalgia (pain all over the body)
The fact that doctors are unable to find a condition causing these symptoms isn't unusual in medicine, and it doesn't mean that nothing can be done to help you.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Somatisation
Find out about medically unexplained symptoms, including possible causes, the connection between physical and mental health, how your GP can help and self-help.
Possible causes of medically unexplained symptoms
Manypeople with medically unexplained symptoms, such as tiredness , pain and Palpitations ,also have depression or anxiety . Treatingan associatedpsychological problem can often relieve the physical
How your GP can help
YourGP will aim to rule out all the possible conditions that might be causing your symptoms. You may havea thorough physical examination and blood tests . It's important toconsider whetherany medicati
Self-help
Thereare things you can do to improve or even relieve some physical symptoms,such as taking regular exercise and managing stress. Regular exercisewill help keep you fit andmany people find that it al
Who's affected
Unexplained symptoms tend to be more common among: women younger people people who've recently had an infection or physical illness,or those affectedby the ill health or death of a relative people wh
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