What are functional disorders (previously known as somatoform)? Functional disorders are at one end of the scale of somatisation. So, the physical symptoms persist long-term, or are severe and cause significant disability, but there is no physical disease present to explain the symptoms. Somatoform disorder is a condition in which a person experiences real, distressing physical symptoms that cannot be fully explained by a medical disease or injury. Symptoms of somatic symptom disorder may include: Specific symptoms, such as pain or shortness of breath. General symptoms, such as feeling very tired or weak. Symptoms not related to any medical cause. Symptoms related to a medical condition but that are more severe than usually expected. The somatoform disorders are a group of psychiatric disorders in which patients present with a myriad of clinically significant but unexplained physical symptoms. Somatoform disorders involve physical symptoms that can’t be explained by medical conditions, often believed to be linked to emotional or psychological distress. Somatoform disorders involve physical symptoms suggesting illness or injury that any medical condition cannot fully explain. Symptoms are real and cause significant distress or impairment, but psychological factors like stress or trauma are likely involved in their manifestation. Somatic symptom disorder (SSD formerly known as somatization disorder or somatoform disorder ) is a form of mental illness that causes one or more bodily symptoms, including pain. What Are Somatoform Disorders? Somatoform disorders, now primarily classified as somatic symptom and related disorders in modern diagnostic manuals, represent a group of mental health conditions characterized by physical symptoms that cause significant distress and impairment in daily functioning. The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) modified the entry titled somatoform disorders to somatic symptom and related disorders , and modified other diagnostic labels and criteria. Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) is a mental health condition in which you feel significantly distressed about physical symptoms. You may have excessive thoughts, emotions and/or behaviors in response to the symptoms, which disrupt your daily functioning. This condition was formerly known as somatoform disorder.