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Somatic symptom disorders are poorly understood. However, our specialist team has considerable experience in helping people looking to make a somatic symptom disorder compensation claim. We know the impact a somatic symptom disorder can have on you and your family.
Below, you will find further information on somatic symptom disorders, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and how to make a somatic symptom disorder compensation claim.
Contents:
- What is a somatic symptom disorder?
- Treating a somatic symptom disorder
- Somatic symptom disorder compensation claim
- Somatic symptom disorder solicitors
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What is a somatic symptom disorder?
Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD) was formerly known as somatoform disorder. SSD is a psychiatric diagnosis made where somebody has an extreme focus on physical symptoms resulting in often serious functional and emotional problems. This can occur even where there has never been an underlying physical problem or where the original physical injury or condition has resolved but symptoms persist, even becoming worse.
Although SSD has been an accepted diagnosis since 2013. Despite that, other terms – some archaic, some colloquial and others used wholly inappropriately in this context – remain in common use by doctors. These include:
- Illness Anxiety Disorder;
- Illness Behaviour;
- Conversion Disorder;
- Factitious Disorder;
- Functional Overlay;
- Hypochondriasis; and
- Medically Unexplained Syptoms.
To be absolutely clear, the symptoms of a person suffering from an SSD are entirely genuine. Indeed, they may have a profoundly disabling effect on the sufferer, who, understandably, may struggle to accept their severe limitations are psychological in origin.
“Thank you Andrew. I was at my wits end with [previous solicitors] but it took me a long time to pluck up the courage to call you. All I can say is what a difference you’ve made. All the way along you’ve been so reassuring and confident and always made time to speak to me. I wish all solicitors could be like you. Thank you again.” ML (£315,000 recovered)
Read a somatic symptom disorder compensation case study. |
Treating a somatic symptom disorder
The ultimate goal is to improve your ability to function day to day. To achieve this, there are broadly three aspects to your treatment.
Psychological therapy
Typically, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is recommended. Amongst other things, this helps to:
- reduce stress and depression;
- address your thoughts, expectations and preoccupations relating to your health;
- reduce your avoidance of certain activities and situations;
- teach you coping strategies.
Medication
Commonly prescribed in cases of a somatic symptom disorder, antidepressant medication does not simply treat symptoms of depression. Some antidepressant drugs such as Amitriptyline, Venlafaxine and Duloxetine help to reduce pain. Pain is a feature of many cases of somatic symptom disorder, regardless of the presence or otherwise of depression.
Lifestyle Changes
Changes to lifestyle and learning a variety of coping strategies can help to improve your quality of life by enabling you to become more involved in domestic, family and social activities. Lifestyle changes are best achieved with the help of professionals such as:
- physiotherapists;
- occupational therapists; and
- psychologists.
With help, many people can increase the range and duration of daily activities. In so doing, they also further improve their fitness and function.
Stress management and relaxation techniques can also help to improve symptoms.
Somatic symptom disorder compensation claim
A compensation claim involving a somatic symptom disorder is highly complex in terms of the evidence required to prove your claim. And it goes without saying that the defendant’s insurer and their lawyers will treat you with considerable. Consequently, evidence gathering requires a forensic approach.
Regrettably, you will be the subject of the full gamut of personal intrusion. Covert surveillance and the monitoring of social media will be the absolute minimum to expect. That is why it is so important to instruct specialist solicitors who will anticipate this and be ready to deal with the other side robustly when it materialises.
Somatic symptom disorder solicitors
Over the years, our team of somatic symptom disorder solicitors have successfully represented many people pursuing somatic symptom disorder compensation claims following an accident. Most begin their claims with other law firms before becoming disillusioned at their lack of expertise and understanding.
If you are in this situation, at best, you will be frustrated, at worst, very distressed. Comments such as “they must have missed something”, “nobody believes me”, and “they think it’s all in my head” are common. And that is entirely understandable.
Typically, we find:
- medical and other records have not been obtained or reviewed.
- wholly unsatisfactory medical reports (often from the wrong type of medical experts).
- medical reports peppered with inappropriate phrases such as “medically unexplained”, “psychological overlay”, “functional overlay”, or “unreliable historian”.
Inevitably, there will be a lot to do to get your claim back on track. But that is where our extensive experience and expertise as somatic symptom disorder solicitors comes into play.
“Andrew’s understanding, professionalism and sheer tenacity was inspirational and his hard work turned the case around resulting in my receiving a settlement which included funds that allow me to receive treatment that help make my condition more bearable. My husband and I are extremely grateful to Andrew and BLB for all they have done for me.” PS (£410,000 recovered)