somatic symptom disorder
noun
plural somatic symptom disorders
: a disorder characterized by a heightened awareness of various physical bodily sensations or symptoms accompanied by the tendency to interpret these sensations and symptoms as indicative of medical illness
specifically
: the manifestation of one or more physical bodily sensations, symptoms, or complaints (such as pain, fatigue, or shortness of breath) that cannot be fully explained by a medical condition and that causes excessive concern, distress, anxiety, preoccupation, and impairment
The major criteria for somatic symptom disorder are persistent (lasting 6 months or more), significant somatic symptoms that are associated with disproportionate thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, such as extreme levels of anxiety. —Mary Ellen Schneider
compare illness anxiety disorder
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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