Predictive validity and clinical utility of DSM-5 Somatic Symptom Disorder — Comparison with DSM-IV somatoform disorders and additional criteria for consideration

Definition of Psychosomatic Medicine and the Applicability of DSM-IV-TR to Outpatients Visiting a Japanese Psychosomatic Clinic

“…This diagnosis is given when a patient experiences various somatoform disorder symptoms but does not fully meet the diagnostic criteria for any particular disorder [2]. The anticipated changes in the nomenclature for somatoform patients in DSM-5 include the addition of positive psychological diagnostic criteria, which cover excessive thoughts, feelings, and behaviours related to somatic symptoms or associated health concerns [8]. Psychosomatic medicine is regarded as a comprehensive interdisciplinary framework for assessing psychological factors affecting individual vulnerability to the course and outcome of any type of disease [9].…”

Construct validity and clinical utility of current research criteria of DSM-5 somatic symptom disorder diagnosis in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome

“…The diagnosis of SSD may be made when there are persistent (i.e., typically longer than six months) somatic symptoms that are distressing and/or significantly disrupt daily life (criteria A and C) that are accompanied by excessive and disproportionate symptom-related thoughts, feelings, and behaviors regarding these symptoms (criteria B) [1]. The DSM 5 SSD workgroup postulated that clinicians should diagnose and treat SSD because successful treatment options (psychotherapy, psychotropic drugs) are available [2].Early US studies provided evidence concerning feasibility [3], reliability [4], validity [5][6][7] and clinical utility [5,7,3] of the SSD diagnostic category. A gold standard method of diagnosis, a structured interview of the SSD criteria, does not yet exist.…”

“…A gold standard method of diagnosis, a structured interview of the SSD criteria, does not yet exist. Preliminary research criteria have been developed by recent studies [5][6][7]. These validation studies were conducted in psychiatry or psychosomatic medicine centers with patients who were previously diagnosed with somatoform disorders [5][6][7].…”

An extraordinary manifestation of hypochondriasis

“…Instead, the whole terminology was assembled under the heading of 'SSD'. 4 The SSD is described by the presence of an excessive thoughts or behaviors associated with the somatic symptoms. 5 One or more of these somatic symptoms can cause distress and psychosocial impairment by devoting excessive time and energy to the futile health concerns.…”