People with Somatic Symptom and related disorders have a persistent and intense focus on one or more physical symptoms such as pain or fatigue that cause major distress and problems functioning. Their reactions to these symptoms are out of proportion to the normal levels of worry or anxiety that everyone experiences about health concerns. They often think the worst about their symptoms and will seek medical care even when other serious conditions have been excluded. Their symptoms will disrupt their daily activities and can have a significant impact on family, work and social relationships. This disorder may occur in both men and women. The proportion of people with somatic symptom disorder varies by culture, partly because of differences in the way illness or "sick roles" are viewed.

The condition is named because the focus is on physical (somatic) symptoms rather than mental or emotional symptoms. It is not a personality disorder or an anxiety disorder, but it does have a high comorbidity with depression and anxiety disorders. This is thought to be because people with this disorder have an unusual way of interpreting bodily sensations, such as pain or weakness, and may respond to these in a more extreme way than would be typical.

In the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), Somatic Symptom Disorder replaces the diagnoses of somatoform disorders, illness anxiety disorder, undifferentiated somatoform disorder, hypochondriasis and pseudocyesis (false premonition that you are pregnant). The main criteria for somatic symptom disorder is that the person has excessive thoughts, emotions or behaviors relating to one or more physical symptoms that are out of proportion to the severity of the symptoms and they have been present for over 6 months.

Some people who have somatic symptom disorder also have an illness that is causing the symptoms, such as a cancer, heart disease, brain tumor or arthritis. Others have a medical condition, such as heart disease, diabetes or fibromyalgia that has co-existed with somatic symptom disorder.

Psychotherapy is effective for treating this disorder. People with somatic symptom disorder who have a comorbid mood or anxiety disorder may benefit from medication as well.

Medications used to treat somatic symptom disorder may include antidepressants or antianxiety medications. They are usually avoided in those with a somatic symptom disorder alone, because the person is already reacting excessively to their physical symptoms and it would be difficult to tolerate the side effects of psychopharmacology.

Treatment focuses on managing the distress and improving function in everyday life. The goals are to reduce the distress caused by the symptoms, reduce underlying anxiety and improve functioning in family, work and other relationships. The therapist will help the person develop skills to cope with their symptoms and teach them how to control their worries. This can be done in individual, group or family therapy. The therapist will also help the person learn about what medical tests are appropriate and how to interpret the results.