Which disorder is characterized by repeated physical complaints without a clear medical cause?

Somatic Symptom Disorder is characterized by a person experiencing multiple physical complaints that cannot be fully explained by a medical condition or diagnosis. Individuals with this disorder often focus on these symptoms, causing significant distress and impairment in their daily functioning. The emphasis is on the distress associated with the symptoms rather than the absence of an underlying medical cause. Patients may frequently seek medical attention and can become preoccupied with their health concerns, which is a hallmark of this disorder.

In contrast, Conversion Disorder involves neurological symptoms that are inconsistent with medical or neurological conditions, often arising as a psychological response to stress. Illness Anxiety Disorder is characterized by an excessive preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness, but the individual may not have significant physical symptoms. Factitious Disorder involves intentionally producing or feigning symptoms for the primary purpose of receiving medical attention or sympathy. Therefore, Somatic Symptom Disorder is distinguished by its focus on the persistence of physical complaints without a discernible medical explanation, coupled with the patient's emotional response to those symptoms.