Clients with somatoform disorders may exhibit heightened sensitivity to what?

Clients with somatoform disorders often experience excessive focus on physical symptoms that do not have a medical explanation. This heightened sensitivity manifests as an increased awareness and concern for bodily sensations, which they may perceive as more intense or alarming than what might be considered typical. For these individuals, minor discomforts can amplify into significant distress, leading them to misinterpret normal physiological responses as signs of severe illness.

Their symptoms typically include pain and other physical issues, which are closely tied to psychological factors rather than any identifiable physical causes. This distinction is key, as it emphasizes that the focus of their condition is not on external factors like changes in environment, interpersonal relationships, or medications, but rather on their internal experience of physical sensations. Understanding this aspect helps healthcare providers to approach treatment with empathy and appropriate therapeutic strategies that address both psychological and physical components of their experience.