.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
Return
Candidate emotional awareness–interoceptive pathways in body-focused repetitive behaviors and somatic symptom disorder: a hypothesis-generating mini review
.png){kind=icon}
OA
AI
Y
M
R
Q
X
F
DOI：10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1867350.png)
.png){kind=icon}
Original request for help.png){kind=icon}
Share.png){kind=icon}
Save
Abstract
En 中文
Body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) and somatic symptom disorder (SSD) are classified in different chapters in DSM-5. The former is characterized by repetitive body-focused actions; whereas the latter is characterized by distressing somatic symptoms accompanied by excessive thoughts; feelings; or behaviors related to those symptoms. Although parallel evidence has accumulated in each domain; direct comparative studies between BFRBs and SSD remain lacking. This gap arises partly from diagnostic separation; divergent research paradigms; and inconsistent terminology. The present mini review therefore proposes a hypothesis-generating conceptual framework in which difficulty identifying feelings and altered interoceptive processing may represent candidate processes relevant to both conditions. However; the strength of evidence is asymmetric. In SSD; interoceptive response bias has been examined using objective and signal-detection-based paradigms; whereas in BFRBs direct objective evidence remains limited. Accordingly; the proposed BFRB pathway should be regarded as a tentative hypothesis rather than an established mechanism. We further outline operational definitions; methodological considerations; and exploratory research questions for future comparative studies.
Keywords:
alexithymia
interoception
transdiagnostic
somatic symptom disorder
emotional awareness
body-focused repetitive behaviors
Journal
IF:
3.2
Papers:
1.8W
Citations:
4.8W
Organization
No organization information available
Cited Papers