The subject of psychology is getting popular these days with most universities and polytechnics starting to offer courses in this particular subject area. Guess with the increase in societal stress and complexity in today’s social issues, the study of the human behaviour & mental processes from biochemistry to group environments is getting hot.

Someone recently passed me their uni text featuring case studies on various psychological disorders that are manifested in various scenarios. The book was fasinating and one of the disorders that caught my eye was something called Somatization Disorder.

Definition:

Somatization disorder is a chronic, severe disorder characterized by many recurring physical symptoms, particularly some combination of pain and digestive, sexual, and neurologic symptoms, that cannot be explained by a physical disorder.

The intensity and persistence of the symptoms reflect the person’s intense desire to be cared for in every aspect of life. The symptoms may also serve other purposes, such as allowing the person to avoid the responsibilities of adulthood. The symptoms tend to be uncomfortable and prevent the person from engaging in many enjoyable pursuits, suggesting that the person also suffers feelings of worthlessness and guilt.

I am no doctor and no expert. However I suspect I may have encountered certain personalities/persons with the above symptoms and characteristics. It has been insightful reading up on this disorder (there’s sooo much literature on somatization)…at the very least, it has helped me understand the whys of it all. Although understanding the disorder doesn’t change the fact that I am unable to handle people with this type of issues. :oops: