Thanks for trying to point out the differences between the two, Jo Mar.

Just wanted to add the term "psychsomatic illness" going with somatoform disorder as that is a term more familiar to many.

Nala,

I doubt that you will find many on this forum who haven't been told or had it be implied that their issues are "all in their head".....you're in good company !

I got sick enough of hearing that, I added a psychiatrist and a therapist to my healthcare team. Truthfully, they are great add ons ! Most people whodeal with chronic pain will have to deal with issues like depression along the way. Psycho-social issues can also make pain worse, so getting help from the experts on trying to minimize stress and find adaptive coping mechanisms can be very helpful.

I also found it helpful to be able to ask the BIG question....."If I am so psychologically impaired that my psyche would feel bad enough to cause me this severe pain, make me unable to work, devastate my financial security, severely impact my family functioning and relationships, and make me miss so many events that I would have been happy to go to.....Why aren't you hospitalizing me for psychological issues ?" The answer was...."Um....because you're not crazy." Sorry for the 'nonprofessional' lingo there, but that WAS his answer.

I'd tell them that you are open to seeing ANY kind of doctor they think will help, but that you expect them ALL to work together to help you feel better.

It's odd that NONE of the docs who gave me the "it's all in your head" chat followed up on my offer to sign any releases they wanted me to, so that they could chat with my psychiatrist who was adamant that my physical complaints/symptoms were NOT psychosomatic.