SSD (Somatic symptom disorder)
SSD complaints can be described as physical complaints that exist for more than a few weeks and for which, upon adequate medical examination, no explanation can be found. The aim of treating children with SSD (and their environment) is to learn to deal with the complaints and their consequences for daily functioning independently. Here, you do not look for (physical) causes, but for the way in which the child deals with the complaint (coping). It is important to be able to make the link between physical complaints and their (psychological) causes.
We start with finding the right balance, focusing on goals (instead of the cause) and not letting yourself be led by complaints. We do this by slowly building up activities, promoting independence and regaining control of the body. Here, we let children recognise obstructive thought patterns and discover that thinking influences acting and feeling. When treating children with SSD, we often opt for a multidisciplinary treatment programme supervised by a rehabilitation specialist.