What disorder is characterized by vague and unexplained physical symptoms associated with emotional distress?

Somatization disorder is characterized by the presence of multiple, vague, and unexplained physical symptoms that cannot be fully explained by a medical condition. The symptoms are often linked to emotional distress or psychological conflicts, with individuals experiencing real discomfort and concern over their health despite there being no identifiable medical cause. This disorder emphasizes the connection between psychological factors and physical sensations, where patients may exhibit symptoms such as pain, gastrointestinal issues, or neurological symptoms, all of which seem to arise as manifestations of underlying emotional distress.

In contrast, conversion disorder involves specific neurological symptoms (like paralysis or seizures) that are not consistent with medical explanations, but the underlying emotional distress might not always be as vague or diffuse as in somatization disorder. Pseudocyesis, or "false pregnancy," is a condition where a person believes they are pregnant and exhibits pregnancy-related symptoms, but this does not encompass the broader range of unexplained physical symptoms tied to emotional distress seen in somatization disorder. Dysmorphic disorder, or body dysmorphic disorder, focuses primarily on an individual's intense preoccupation with perceived flaws in physical appearance, rather than unexplained physical symptoms associated with emotional issues.