SOMATIC SYMPTOMS, SOMATIZATION, AND TRAUMATIC STRESS - AN OVERVIEW

This communication reviews published studies (English language) that r elate somatic symptoms to traumatic stressors. Findings were inconsist ent but suggest that physical symptoms are common after severe or recu rrent traumatic stress and/or if there were physical sensations at the time of the stressor (for example, rape), irrespective of whether the re was permanent tissue damage. Somatic symptoms after traumatic exper iences may result from: a) tissue damage, including the brain; b) phys ioslogic hyperactivity; and/or c) somatization. Psychologic symptoms t hat are typical of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be masked by somatization. Somatization is more likely to occur when, as a resul t of younger age or cultural mores, there is an impaired capacity to c ommunicate psychologic experiences. Prospective studies to investigate the relationship of trauma to somatic symptoms are needed.