Somatic Symptom Disorder in Menopausal / perimenopausal women

Key things to know What the evidence shows
How common is it? NE
Is it more common among menopausal / perimenopausal women? Menopausal symptoms can complicate distinction between physiological symptoms and disproportionate symptom-related distress
Are menopausal / perimenopausal women at higher risk? No established elevation; clinically important differential
How much higher is the risk? NE
How often can it be missed? Very High
Does it show up differently among menopausal / perimenopausal women? Strong Yes contextually
How might it look different? Hot flushes, sleep disturbance, palpitations, pain and fatigue may be real physiological symptoms; SSD concerns the disproportionate psychological/behavioural response
What commonly occurs alongside it? Depression; anxiety; sleep disorders
What can it be confused with? Menopause-related symptoms; medical illness; panic; depression
Common screening tool SSD-12 — Somatic Symptom Disorder–B Criteria Scale
Separate screening tool for menopausal / perimenopausal women None
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