Who Gets Somatoform Disorders?
It seems that Somatoform symptoms are very common in the general community. It has been reported that up to 80% of doctor visits could be for Somatoform symptoms. It’s only when these symptoms interfere with quality of life or start appearing in many different areas of the body that it becomes a Disorder. Somatoform Disorders can occur in males and females and at any age, however it more commonly starts in teenage girls and less commonly in middle aged men. It is also quite common in teenage girls who have a good relationship with their mothers, ie the good girl syndrome.Many people with a Somatoform Disorder have had a traumatic experience in their younger life. Most of them have been unable to talk to their significant adult (parent) or other person about it for one reason or another. The Disorder may not surface for many years, but this does seem to be a common thread for somatisers.
