Five subcategories of somatoform disorders.

Somatoform disorders were once known as hysteria. Today it is defined as "somatic symptoms in the absence of physical illness". In contrast to psychosomatic disorders, somatoform disorders cannot be linked to an underlying impairment. There is nothing wrong physically, and the symptoms are not made up; the physical problem is very real to the patient. In some cases, the patient reports paralysis in one arm, or the inability to see. In other cases, some patients …

…imperfections. This endless worry causes a great deal of distress for the patient and in extreme cases; it may interfere with social or work relationships. There is controversy regarding body dysmorphic disorder being grouped with other somatoform disorders. For example, in Korea and Japan it is classified as a social phobia. Body dysmorphic disorder has had more attention in Europe than in North America, and little research has been conducted on this disorder to date.