Somatic Symptom Disorder Treatment
Compassionate, dual-diagnosis care for somatic and physical symptom disorders that occur alongside a substance use disorder, on our 75-acre ranch in the Texas Hill Country near San Antonio and Austin.
What Is a Somatic Symptom Disorder?
Somatic, or physical, symptom disorders involve pronounced physical problems accompanied by a high level of health concern that can diminish work and home life. These disorders include distressing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors about real or perceived health problems, and the concern is often far greater than the physical problem itself.
People with these disorders experience real physical pain and discomfort, and they understandably see these symptoms as physical health problems rather than a mental health issue. That can lead to repeated tests, procedures, or medications, which may add stress and frustration.
How Somatic Symptom Disorders Are Understood
A person can have both a medical condition and a somatic symptom disorder at the same time. Strong health concerns alone do not create a diagnosis simply because a medical cause cannot be found, though for some somatic symptom disorders the absence of a clear medical cause is still a key factor. Risk factors can include increased sensitivity to pain and early trauma or neglect.
The Four Somatic Symptom Disorders
There are four somatic symptom disorders, and they share a common feature: people are more likely to visit a clinic or hospital than to seek mental health care, each marked by a deep concern for physical health.
How Windmill Treats Somatic Symptom Disorders Alongside Substance Use
At Windmill Wellness Ranch, we treat adults 18 and older who are living with a somatic symptom disorder that occurs alongside substance use or addiction, known as a co-occurring disorder or dual diagnosis. Many people turn to alcohol, drugs, or medications to cope with ongoing physical distress, and when substance use is layered on top of a somatic symptom disorder, each one can make the other harder to manage.
In our inpatient program, we diagnose and treat both together, matching the right therapy and, when appropriate, medication management to each condition, rather than treating one while overlooking the other. Our goal is to help you find real relief and lasting recovery, on our 75-acre ranch in the Texas Hill Country near San Antonio and Austin.
There Is Relief, and There Is Hope
Somatic symptom disorders are treatable. With the right support and a plan that addresses both your physical concerns and any substance use, you can feel better and reclaim your daily life.
A Full Continuum of Care
Windmill Wellness Ranch provides the full continuum of care in one place, so clients can progress from detox if needed, to residential treatment, into transitional living, sober living, intensive outpatient therapy, and ongoing aftercare support, all without being transferred to another facility along the way.
Throughout every level of care, the mental health side of treatment is guided by our master’s-trained clinicians, who provide the therapy and dual-diagnosis support that helps the whole person heal, not just the addiction.
Learn more about our residential treatment, transitional and sober living, intensive outpatient program, and aftercare program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a somatic symptom disorder?+
A somatic or physical symptom disorder involves real or perceived physical symptoms along with a high level of health concern that can disrupt work and home life. The concern is often greater than the physical problem itself.
What is the difference between somatic symptom disorder and illness anxiety disorder?+
Both involve a strong focus on physical health. Somatic symptom disorder centers on real physical symptoms and how much they preoccupy a person, while illness anxiety disorder centers on the fear of having or developing a serious illness, often with few or no physical symptoms.
Are the physical symptoms real?+
Yes. People with somatic symptom disorders experience real physical pain and discomfort. The disorder is about the level of distress and preoccupation around the symptoms, not whether the symptoms themselves are real.
What raises the risk of a somatic symptom disorder?+
Risk factors can include a heightened sensitivity to pain and a history of early trauma or neglect. A person can also have both a medical condition and a somatic symptom disorder at the same time.
Can a somatic symptom disorder and substance use happen together?+
Yes. People sometimes turn to alcohol, drugs, or medications to cope with ongoing physical distress. Windmill Wellness Ranch is fully equipped to treat mental health conditions and treats somatic symptom disorders in adults 18 and older alongside a co-occurring substance use disorder, with master's-trained clinicians who care for both together.
How does treatment for a somatic symptom disorder work at Windmill?+
In our inpatient program we diagnose and treat the somatic symptom disorder and the substance use together, using the right therapy and, when appropriate, medication management for each, so the whole person heals.
Reach Out for Help Today
Healing is possible. Reach out to our admissions team, available 24/7, to learn how Windmill Wellness Ranch treats a somatic symptom disorder alongside a substance use disorder, and take the first step today.