Somatic Symptom Disorder 311
Somatic Symptom Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria 300.82 (F45.1)
A. One or more somatic symptoms that are distressing or result in significant disruption
of daily life. 
B. Excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to the somatic symptoms or associ-
ated health concerns as manifested by at least one of the following: 
1. Disproportionate and persistent thoughts about the seriousness of one’s symptoms.
2. Persistently high level of anxiety about health or symptoms.
3. Excessive time and energy devoted to these symptoms or health concerns.
C. Although any one somatic symptom may not be continuously present, the state of be-
ing symptomatic is persistent (typically more than 6 months). 
Specify if:
With predominant pain  (previously pain disorder): This specifier is for individuals
whose somatic symptoms predominantly involve pain.
Specify if:
Persistent:  A persistent course is characterized by severe symptoms, marked impair-
ment, and long duration (more than 6 months).
Specify current severity: 
Mild:  Only one of the symptoms specified in Criterion B is fulfilled.
Moderate: Two or more of the symptoms specified in Criterion B are fulfilled.
Severe:  Two or more of the symptoms specified in Criterion B are fulfilled, plus there
are multiple somatic complaints (or one very severe somatic symptom).
Diagnostic Features
Individuals with somatic symptom disorder ty pically have multiple, current, somatic symp-
toms that are distressing or result in signific ant disruption of daily life (Criterion A), al-
though sometimes only one severe symptom,  most commonly pain, is present. Symptoms
may be specific (e.g., localized pain) or rela tively nonspecific (e.g., fatigue). The symptoms