Somatoform pain disorder

Alternative names:

chronic pain disorder; pain disorder

Symptoms:

• preoccupation with pain for at least 6 months
• chronic, consistent complaints of pain
• anger with health care professionals may be present
• numerous evaluations with little pain relief
• unusual or extreme familiarity with pain medications

Signs and tests:

A physical examination and evaluation rules out a new physical illness as the cause for pain. Diagnostic testing may be involved depending on the nature of the symptoms. A psychiatric evaluation rules out related disorders.