Somatization represents the experience of physical symptoms that do not appear to have an organic cause . Somatization is the mental representation of physical symptoms. It can be a conscious action (as in the case of pretending: pretending to have symptoms of illness in order to gain something) or totally unconscious (like hypochondria).
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These types of disorders are known as somatoform disorders . Hypochondriacs believe that their normal physical sensations are symptoms of infection and deadly diseases. They will notice a simple headache like a brain tumor and a cough like tuberculosis. Hypochondriacs use a vastly disproportionate amount of medical resources and can spend a lot of money on it. Somatization can also be seen in somatization disorder in which symptoms include physical problems that are felt, but are not associated with a medical problem.
An example of this may be a person who suffers from severe headaches that are related to stress, rather than any organic cause. This practice becomes harmful to the patient and those around them. It is important that the symptoms to be described cannot be explained by medical conditions or by the use of substances to consider a somatic disease.
