Ch. 24: Somatic Symptom & Related Disorders

Question 1

What is somatization?

Answer 1

Unexplained physical symptoms that occur in the presence of psychological distress or psychiatric illness

(in contrast - psychosomatic or “broken heart”)

Question 2

Somatic Symptom & related disorders

Answer 2

patient experiences physical symptoms causing psychological distress or abnormal patterns of thought

Question 3

Factitious Disorder

Answer 3

patient self-inflicts injury as a result of psychological stress to seek medical treatment

Question 4

Somatic symptom disorder commonly coexists with that psychiatric disorders?

Answer 4

Depression & anxiety

Question 5

what medication is used to treat somatic symptom disorder?

Answer 5

There is no medication.
Treat comorbid disorders
*Anxiety - avoid benzodiazepines/anxiolytics as they may use it long term & can become addicted

Question 6

What antidepressant is found to treat depression AND chronic pain & headaches common in somatic symptom disorder?

Answer 6

Phenelzine (MAOIs)

*Food-drug interactions are the most serious side effects (Patients should avoid food high in tyramine)