Functional Disorders Flashcards
What is a functional disorder
Symptoms which are troubling and not fully explained by a physical disease process or injury- they are likely to be somatic manifestations caused by emotional distress
What is a somatoform disorder
repeated presentation with physical symptoms, persistent requests for medical investigation ‘attention seeking behavirour’, resists attempts to discuss psychological basis
what is somatisation
multiple, recurrent and frequently changing physical symptoms
What kind of functional disorders exist
IBS globus/dysphagia Non epileptic attach disorder Weakness and sensory disturbance Fibromyalgia Chronic fatigue
What is the link between chronic fatique and fibromyalgia
CFS and fibromyalgia are spectrums of the same disorder characterised by fatique and musculoskeletal discomfort which is psychologically drive
How common are functional disorders in neurology
make up a third of new outpatients
Which gender are functional disorders more common in
female
what age are functional disorders more common in
30-60 year olds
what groups of people are more likely to have functional disorders
relatives of people with functional disorders
allied health service staff
patients with learning difficulties
what things predispose to functional disorders
adverse childhood experiences - abuse, parental neglect, hospitalisation as a child, exposure to family illness
personality characterisitcs eg anxious
cognition - catastrophizing
what factors may precipitate a functional illness
stressful life events - major threats to helath
personal loss
depression/anxiety
what factors perpetuate functional illnesse
psychological issue overlooked investigations etc consolidate the patients belief that this is an organis illness iatrogenic illness secondary gains eg exemption from work intentional elaboration or feigning
what maneuver is used to differentiate between organic weakness and functional weakness
hoovers sign
in organic weakness - attempting to flex the hip in supine position in the weak leg will result in extension of the hip ie the heel pushing down into the bed on the contralateral side
in functional weakness the contralateral hip extension will not occur as there is reduced effort in both legs
define hypochonriasis
focus is on the potential diagnosis rather than the symptoms eg I have cancer
what is factitious disorder
is a condition in which a person acts as if they have an illness by deliberately producing, feigning, or exaggerating symptoms
