How might patients with somatoform disorder describe their medical symptoms?

Patients with somatoform disorder often describe their medical symptoms as consistent and chronic, reflecting their experience of ongoing physical complaints that are not fully explained by medical evaluation. This chronic nature is significant because it emphasizes the persistent and sometimes debilitating aspects of their symptoms that can dominate their lives.

Individuals with somatoform disorder may not easily relate their symptoms to psychological factors or recognize them as being without a physical basis, as they genuinely feel the pain or discomfort, regardless of medical findings. Therefore, while they may be aware of psychological aspects, they primarily articulate their experiences in terms of physical sensations that are long-lasting and real to them. This focus on the chronicity of their symptoms highlights the complexity of their condition, as they often struggle with both the psychological dimensions of their health and the tangible impact these symptoms have on their daily functioning.