Who gets somatoform disorders and what causes them?
Somatoform disorders can affect anyone of any age. The exact number of people affected is difficult to determine as many cases are probably not diagnosed. Somatisation disorder is thought to be quite rare, perhaps affecting about 1 in 1,000 people. Hypochondriasis and body dysmorphic disorder are perhaps more common. It is not clear why some people develop somatoform disorders. Genetic and environmental factors both probably play a part. That is, your genetic make-up combined with factors such as how you were brought up, your parental and peer influences, etc, may all contribute. Somatoform disorders are more common in people who abuse alcohol and drugs. However, drugs and alcohol may be factors in both cause and effect. For example, some people may turn to alcohol or other drugs to ease the distress of their somatic symptoms. On the other hand, excess alcohol or illicit drugs may make the symptoms worse.
