somatization

noun

so·​ma·​ti·​za·​tion ˌsō-mə-tə-ˈzā-shən 

: conversion of a mental state (such as depression or anxiety) into physical symptoms

also : the existence of physical bodily complaints in the absence of a known medical condition

Examples of somatization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

It’s called somatization—the medical term for expressing stress as physical symptoms. —Angela Haupt, TIME, 8 Aug. 2024

One solution to this is to ensure that historical records of past ER visits are readily available whenever these cases show up, and to have senior staff confer with junior staff about how to manage patients with chronic somatization by sending them to a primary care provider. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 7 June 2024

Symptoms of racial trauma People affected by racial trauma might take on some of the physical symptoms of stress, which is called somatization, Heard said. —Kristen Rogers, CNN, 16 Feb. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

somatization

noun

so·​ma·​ti·​za·​tion ˌsō-mət-ə-ˈzā-shən 

variants or chiefly British somatisation

-mə-ˌtī-ˈ 

: conversion of a mental state (as depression or anxiety) into physical symptoms

also : the existence of physical bodily complaints in the absence of a known medical condition