A client has made multiple visits to the clinic. A nurse suspects that the client may be experiencing somatic symptom disorder (SSD) based on which assessment finding?

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SSD is one of the most difficult disorders to manage because the symptoms tend to change, are diffuse and complex, and vary/move from one body system to another. For example, initially there may be gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) and neurologic (headache, backache) symptoms that change to musculoskeletal (aching legs) and sexual issues (pain in the abdomen, pain during intercourse). The physical symptoms may last for 6-9 months. Individuals with SSD perceive themselves as being sicker than the sick and report all aspects of their health as poor. Many eventually become disabled and cannot work. They typically visit health care providers multiple times per month and quickly become frustrated because their primary health care providers do not appreciate their level of suffering and are unable to validate that a particular problem accounts for their extreme discomfort.

A Client Has Made Multiple Visits to the Clinic