somatization

noun

so·​ma·​ti·​za·​tion ˌsō-mə-tə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce somatization (audio)
: conversion of a mental state (such as depression or anxiety) into physical symptoms
also : the existence of physical bodily complaints in the absence of a known medical condition

Examples of somatization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web It’s called somatization—the medical term for expressing stress as physical symptoms. Angela Haupt, TIME, 8 Aug. 2024 One solution to this is to ensure that historical records of past ER visits are readily available whenever these cases show up, and to have senior staff confer with junior staff about how to manage patients with chronic somatization by sending them to a primary care provider. Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 7 June 2024 Symptoms of racial trauma People affected by racial trauma might take on some of the physical symptoms of stress, which is called somatization, Heard said. Kristen Rogers, CNN, 16 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'somatization.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of somatization was in 1925

Dictionary Entries Near somatization

Cite this Entry

“Somatization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/somatization. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

somatization

noun
so·​ma·​ti·​za·​tion ˌsō-mət-ə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce somatization (audio)
variants or chiefly British somatisation
: conversion of a mental state (as depression or anxiety) into physical symptoms
also : the existence of physical bodily complaints in the absence of a known medical condition
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