What Is Somatic Symptom Disorder?
9. Diagnosis
A doctor will generally perform a physical exam to look for any medical conditions that might be contributing to the problem. In addition to a physical exam, the doctor will likely ask the patient about their medical history, and perhaps also if there is a history of certain conditions running in the family.
Patients with suspected mental health conditions will need to be assessed by a mental health expert. They will need to ask the patient about their symptoms and the impact that those symptoms are having on their life. If the patient meets certain criteria then they will be diagnosed with the condition and appropriate treatment can begin.
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