How is somatoform disorder primarily diagnosed?

Somatoform disorder is primarily diagnosed based on the presence of physical symptoms that cannot be fully explained by a medical condition, making the option about physical exams with no medical explanation the most appropriate choice. This diagnosis often involves ruling out various physical health issues and confirming that the symptoms do not have a clear physiological cause. Mental health providers typically rely on clinical interviews and may conduct thorough physical examinations to ensure that any underlying medical conditions are adequately assessed.

The diagnosis also reflects the patient's psychological state and the distress those physical symptoms cause, which is crucial for an accurate understanding of the disorder. This process of excluding medical explanations highlights the nature of somatoform disorder, where psychological factors manifest as physical symptoms.

While blood tests and other laboratory tests are important in the medical evaluation process, they do not directly contribute to diagnosing somatoform disorder since conventional tests would normally yield normal results. Options related to family history and psychological assessments only do not capture the necessity of physical examination to identify the absence of medical explanations, making them less comprehensive in the context of somatoform disorder diagnosis.