Somatoform disorders encompass several disorders all linked by the presence of prominent somatic symptoms associated with significant stress and impairment. This group of disorders includes somatic symptom disorder, illness anxiety disorder, conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder), factitious disorder, psychological factors affecting other medical conditions, and other / unspecified somatic symptom and related disorder.

Historically, this group had included a repeating pattern of "medically unexplained symptoms" starting before age 30 and involving several organ systems. Although such symptoms are frequently present (particularly in conversion disorder), this is no longer considered the central feature since patients can have accompanying medical diagnoses.

The major diagnosis of this group, somatic symptom disorder, is characterized by distressing symptoms accompanied by abnormal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in response to those symptoms.

Patients may frequently change physicians and may relocate to do so, in an attempt to obtain further workup after extensive testing does not determine a medical diagnosis (as may occur in illness anxiety disorder or conversion disorder) or even to avoid detection (as may occur in factitious disorder).

These disorders are common in medical practice and may be difficult to recognize on initial assessment. They tend to be lifelong disorders with waxing and waning severity. A consistent, supportive doctor-patient relationship is essential for therapeutic effect.