Finals Quiz 1 Flashcards
(37 cards)
are characterized by physical symptoms suggesting medical disease but without demonstrable organic pathology or a known pathophysiological mechanism to account for them
Somatoform disorders
is a chronic syndrome of multiple! somatic symptoms that cannot be explained medically and are associated with psychosocial distress and long-term seeking of assistance from health care professionals
Somatization disorder
The essential feature of pain disorder is severe and prolonged pain that causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or
other important areas of functioning
Pain disorder
is an unrealistic preoccupation with the fear of having a serious illness
Hypochondriasis
This disorder, formerly called dysmorphophobia, is characterized by the exaggerated belief that the body is deformed or defective in
some specific way
Body dysmorphic disorder
Body dysmorphic disorder
This disorder, formerly called _____
dysmorphophobia
The pathophysiology of somatoform disorders is ____
unknown
Primary somatoform disorders may be associated with a _____
heightened awareness of normal bodily sensations.
This heightened awareness may be paired with a ______ to interpret any physical symptom as indicative of medical illness
cognitive bias
may be high in some patients with somatoform disorders
Autonomic arousal
This autonomic arousal may be associated with physiologic effects of endogenous noradrenergic compounds such as ___________ or _________
tachycardia or gastric hypermotility.
Heightened arousal also may induce muscle tension and pain associated with muscular hyperactivity, as is seen with ________
muscle tension headaches
Causes of Somatoform Disorders Predisposing factors to somatoform disorders include:
Genetic
Biochemical
Psychodynamic
Family dynamics
Sociocultural/familial factors.
Past experience with physical illness
Cultural and environmental factors
Studies have shown an increased incidence of somatization disorder, conversion disorder, and hypochondriasis in first-degree relatives, implying a possible inheritable disposition
Genetic
Decreased levels of serotonin and endorphins may play a role in the etiology of pain disorder.
Biochemical
Some psychodynamics view hypochondriasis as an
ego defense mechanism; the psychodynamic theory of conversion disorder proposes that emotions associated with a traumatic event that the individual cannot express because of moral or ethical unacceptability are “converted” into physical symptoms
Psychodynamic
Some families have difficulty expressing emotions openly and resolving conflicts verbally; when this occurs, the child may become ill, and a shift in focus is made from the open conflict to the child’s illness, leaving unresolved the underlying issues that the family cannot confront openly.
Family dynamics
Somatic complaints are often reinforced when the sick role relieves the individual from the need to deal with a stressful situation, whether it be within the society or within the family.
Sociocultural/familial factors
Personal experience, or the experience of close family members with serious or life-threatening illness can predispose an individual to hypochondriasis
Past experience with physical illness
Some cultures and religions carry implicit sanctions against verbalizing or directly expressing emotional states, thereby indirectly encouraging “more acceptable” somatic behaviors.
Cultural and environmental factors.
Clinical Manifestations
Symptoms of somatoform disorder include:
Pain symptoms
Gastrointestinal symptoms
Sexual Symptoms
Pseudo neurologic symptoms
Complaints of headache, pain in the abdomen, head, joints, back, chest, rectum; pain during urination, menstruation, or
sexual intercourse.
Pain symptoms
There is nausea, bloating, vomiting
(other than during pregnancy), diarrhea, or intolerance of several
foods.
Gastrointestinal symptoms
Sexual indifference, erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction, irregular menses, excessive menstrual bleeding, and vómiting through pregnancy
Sexual symptoms