Somatic symptom disorder is diagnosed when a person has a significant focus on physical symptoms, such as pain, weakness or shortness of breath, to a level that results in major distress and/or problems functioning. Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) is a mental disorder characterized by an excessive focus on physical symptoms—such as pain or shortness of breath —that cause significant distress or impairment. Somatic symptom disorder involves focusing too much on physical symptoms such as pain or tiredness. This focus causes major emotional distress and makes it hard to function. Somatization occurs when psychological distress manifests as physical symptoms in the body. For example, someone experiencing intense grief might develop severe fatigue, or a person under chronic. 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. Somatisation means that physical symptoms are caused by biological, social, or psychological factors, not a specific disease. These symptoms, like pain or fatigue, can also be caused by medical conditions. Functional disorders are more complex and persistent forms of somatisation. What is Somatic Symptom Disorder? Somatic symptom disorder is a psychological condition characterized by a persistent preoccupation with physical symptoms, such as pain, weakness, or shortness of breath, that causes significant distress and impairment in daily functioning.