Treatment

The goal of treatment is to improve your symptoms and your ability to function in daily life. Psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, can be helpful for somatic symptom disorder. Sometimes medications may be added, especially if you're struggling with feeling depressed.

Psychotherapy

Because physical symptoms can be related to psychological distress and a high level of health anxiety, psychotherapy — specifically, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) — can help improve physical symptoms.

CBT can help you:

• Examine and adapt your beliefs and expectations about health and physical symptoms
• Learn how to reduce stress
• Learn how to cope with physical symptoms
• Reduce preoccupation with symptoms
• Reduce avoidance of situations and activities due to uncomfortable physical sensations
• Improve daily functioning at home, at work, in relationships and in social situations
• Address depression and other mental health disorders

Family therapy may also be helpful by examining family relationships and improving family support and functioning.

Medications

Antidepressant medication can help reduce symptoms associated with depression and pain that often occur with somatic symptom disorder.

If one medication doesn't work well for you, your doctor may recommend switching to another or combining certain medications to boost effectiveness. Keep in mind that it can take several weeks after first starting a medication to notice an improvement in symptoms.

Talk with your doctor about medication options and the possible side effects and risks.