Increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system, increased tension in voluntary muscles and hyperventilation can all generate somatic symptoms (Sharpe & Bass, 1992: Kellner, 1985; 1987). In this way, many symptoms can be experienced, for example, pain; gastrointestinal problems; chest and breathing difficulties. Other symptoms could develop as a result of repeated arousal or tension associated with experiencing the somatic component of emotions, without the ability to recognize and deal with the emotion. These symptoms are then incorrectly labelled as physical disorders and the emotional situation is not addressed. The emotional feeling remains, which leads to continuing experienc...

Increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system, increased tension in voluntary muscles and hyperventilation can all generate somatic symptoms (Sharpe & Bass, 1992: Kellner, 1985; 1987). In this way, many symptoms can be experienced, for example, pain; gastrointestinal problems; chest and breathing difficulties. Other symptoms could develop as a result of repeated arousal or tension associated with experiencing the somatic component of emotions, without the ability to recognize and deal with the emotion. These symptoms are then incorrectly labelled as physical disorders and the emotional situation is not addressed. The emotional feeling remains, which leads to continuing experience of somatic symptoms.

Above from article which considers other theories of somatisation