somatoform

[ suh-mat-uh-fawrm, soh-muh-tuh- ]

adjective

1. characterized by symptoms suggesting a physical disorder but for which there are no demonstrable organic findings or known physiological mechanisms.

Word History and Origins

Origin of somatoform¹

somato- + -form

Example Sentences

Liberty Counsel said Friday that when Justina, then age 14, was taken by her mother, Linda Pelletier, to Boston Children’s Hospital in February 2013, a doctor changed her diagnosis from mitochondrial disease — a physical ailment — to somatoform disorder — a mental illness.

From Washington Times

A hospital psychologist who was researching somatoform disorder under a federal grant agreed with the new diagnosis.

From Washington Times

Liberty Counsel said Friday that when Justina, then age 14, was taken by her mother, Linda Pelletier, to Boston Children’s Hospital in February 2013, a doctor changed her diagnosis from mitochondrial disease — a physical ailment — to somatoform disorder — a mental illness.

From Washington Times

A hospital psychologist who was researching somatoform disorder under a federal grant agreed with the new diagnosis.

From Washington Times

The custody fight started with that visit: At Boston Children’s Hospital, doctors assessed Justina, then 14, and diagnosed somatoform disorder, a mental health condition related to stress.

From Washington Times