19 complex and emotionally demanding patients Flashcards
What is a histrionic patient?
What risk do they pose?
dramatic and emotional presentation
may be seductive
risk of doctor responding inappropriately
What are dependent patients?
What risk do they pose?
almost never feel re-assured, need so much attention
doctor may respond with a callous disregard
What is the risk with demanding patients?
easily frustrated
What might happen with a narcissistic patient?
they may idealise the doctor initially but this may change to contempt for the doctor’s inadequacies
What are some characteristics of souspicious patients?
may be sarcastic eliciting a hostile response to confirm their original suspicions
hypersensitive to criticism, argumentative, and defensive
How might a help-rejecting complainer respond to advice
‘yes, but…’
How might a manipulative patient interact with a doctor?
use threats or violence to get their will
What is somatisation?
when a patient whith a psychological disorder presents with physical symptoms attributed to a physical cause
addressing the psychological issues is the trick here
What is hypochondrial disorder?
fears of having a serious disease based on misinterpretation of bodily symptoms
symptoms last at least 6 months
What is conversion disorder?
alteration or loss of physical function suggestive of a physical disorder
psychological conflicts or stressors preceded exacerbation of physical symptoms
What does La belle indifference mean?
a patient seems surprisingly unconcerned about their physical symptoms
What is body dysmorphic disorder?
preoccupation with an imagined defect in appearance
What is another name for factitious disorder?
What is a variant of this?
Munchausen syndrome
the intentional production of physical or psychological signs or symptoms
wants to assume the sick role
factitious disorder by proxy
What ocnstitutes malingering?
external incentives to intentional production of signs and symptoms:
avoiding service (prison/military)
octaining drugs
obtain food and shelter
What does HALT stand for?
Hungry
Angry
late
Tired
