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

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