ICD-11 · 6C20

Bodily distress disorder

A disorder characterized by the presence of distressing bodily symptoms that the person cannot adequately explain, accompanied by excessive attention to the symptoms and repeated seeking of medical help without organic cause being found. The preoccupation with symptoms persists despite medical reassurance.

Symptoms

Persistent preoccupation with somatic symptoms (also: Persistent preoccupation with somatic symptoms, persistent bodily symptoms, chronic somatic symptoms, persisting complaints)
Excessive concentration on the body and its sensations (also: Excessive concentration on the body, excessive focus on bodily sensations, hyperfocus on body symptoms, excessive concentration on body)
Health anxiety (also: Health anxiety – fear of serious illness, health-related anxiety, health anxiety, fear of illness)
Multi-system somatic symptoms (gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, urinary, pain) (also: various somatic symptoms, symptoms from multiple systems, palpitations, abdominal pain)
Duration of symptoms >=6 months (chronicity) (also: symptoms lasting months, chronic somatisation, years-long course, continuous for six months or more)
Frequent medical visits and reassurance seeking (also: Multiple medical visits and fruitless investigations (doctor shopping), multiple specialist consultations, multiple hospitalisations, multiple investigations without diagnosis)
Negative test results do not reduce preoccupation (also: no relief after normal results, symptoms despite negative investigations, suspicion of error, demanding further tests)
Autonomic symptoms (trembling, sweating, rapid heartbeat) (also: Autonomic symptoms, Autonomic symptoms (palpitations, sweating, trembling, flushing), rapid heartbeat, excessive sweating)
Migratory pains without organic basis (head, back, abdomen, chest) (also: psychogenic headaches, unexplained back pain, abdominal pain without cause, chest pain without cardiology)
Functional gastrointestinal disorders (irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia) (also: IBS, irritable bowel syndrome, psychogenic dyspepsia, cardiospasm)
Symptoms worsen under emotional stress (also: stress worsens symptoms, emotional conflict before symptoms, symptoms after stressful event, correlation with interpersonal difficulties)
Impaired social/occupational functioning (also: Significant deterioration of social, occupational and family functioning, work absence, difficulties in relationships with close ones, resignation from activities)

Differential diagnosis

When diagnosing Bodily distress disorder, the following ICD-11 disorders should be considered in the differential diagnosis:

Synonyms and related terms

persistent bodily symptoms, chronic somatic symptoms, persisting complaints, Excessive concentration on the body, excessive focus on bodily sensations, hyperfocus on body symptoms, excessive concentration on body, Health anxiety – fear of serious illness, health-related anxiety, fear of illness, various somatic symptoms, symptoms from multiple systems, palpitations, abdominal pain, symptoms lasting months, chronic somatisation, years-long course, continuous for six months or more, Multiple medical visits and fruitless investigations (doctor shopping), multiple specialist consultations, multiple hospitalisations, multiple investigations without diagnosis, no relief after normal results, symptoms despite negative investigations, suspicion of error, demanding further tests, Autonomic symptoms, Autonomic symptoms (palpitations, sweating, trembling, flushing), rapid heartbeat, excessive sweating

Frequently asked questions

What are the symptoms of Bodily distress disorder?

Symptoms associated with Bodily distress disorder (ICD-11 6C20) include: Persistent preoccupation with somatic symptoms, Excessive concentration on the body and its sensations, Health anxiety, Multi-system somatic symptoms (gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, urinary, pain), Duration of symptoms >=6 months (chronicity), Frequent medical visits and reassurance seeking, Negative test results do not reduce preoccupation, Autonomic symptoms (trembling, sweating, rapid heartbeat), Migratory pains without organic basis (head, back, abdomen, chest), Functional gastrointestinal disorders (irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia), Symptoms worsen under emotional stress, Impaired social/occupational functioning.

What disorders are in the differential diagnosis of Bodily distress disorder?

The differential diagnosis of Bodily distress disorder (6C20) includes: Trichotillomania (6B25.0), Hipochondria (6B23), Zaburzenie dysmorficzne ciała (6B21), Zaburzenie z przeczosami (6B25.1).

WHO ICD-11 source

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Source: WHO ICD-11 (chapter 6 – Mental, behavioral and neurodevelopmental disorders). Used under CC BY-ND 3.0 IGO. ICD Diagnostica is not affiliated with or endorsed by WHO. Informational use only – does not replace clinical judgment.