Somatic symptom disorder involves persistent symptoms that:

Somatic symptom disorder is characterized by an individual experiencing one or more persistent physical symptoms that are distressing and significantly disrupt their daily life. This condition goes beyond the presence of symptoms; it is the emotional and psychological experience associated with these symptoms that leads to significant impairment.

When individuals have somatic symptom disorder, they often experience substantial anxiety related to the symptoms, or they may devote excessive time and energy to health concerns that ultimately interfere with their ability to function in everyday activities, such as work, social interactions, or self-care. This combination of distress and disruption is core to understanding the disorder.

While other options may describe characteristics of symptoms or conditions, they do not capture the essence of somatic symptom disorder. For instance, symptoms lasting less than three months, not disrupting daily life, or being mild and self-resolving do not align with the clinical definition of somatic symptom disorder. Instead, the persistent nature of the symptoms and their impact on the individual's functioning are key elements that define this disorder.