Undifferentiated Somatoform Disorder (USD)

USD is a less restrictive form of Somatization Disorder (SD). A diagnosis of SD requires that the person manifest a minimum of eight symptoms over a period of several years; USD requires only that one symptom or more be present over a period of at least 6 months. Otherwise, the requirements for USD are the same as for SD; briefly, that there be significant distress or impairment, that the condition not be fully explainable in terms of a medical or drug-related condition, that the symptoms not be intentionally feigned or otherwise produced, and that some other mental disorder not produce a better explanation. The diagnosis is rare and the course unpredictable; sometimes a medical condition is eventually diagnosed, and sometimes another mental disorder is diagnosed. The disorder rarely comes to the attention of mental health professionals, and it is likely that some cases resolve spontaneously when the patient's circumstances change.

More information on somatoform disorders is available at this web site. 

                                                                                                                                Last updated  12/19/03