Functional Disorders Flashcards
what are functional symptoms?
symptoms where one cannot easily associate the symptoms with a classically identifiable organic disease process
what are common functional symptoms?
pain altered sensation dizziness movement disorders weakness seizure cognitive symptoms
what are examples of neurological functional symptoms / syndromes?
functional weakness
non-epileptic attacks
hemisensory symptoms
what are examples of gastroenterological functional symptoms / syndromes?
IBS
non ulcer dyspepsia
chronic abdominal pain
what are examples of gynaecological functional symptoms / syndromes?
chronic pelvic pain
premenstrual syndrome
what are examples of ENT functional symptoms / syndromes?
functional dysphasia
globus pharynges
what are examples of cardiological functional symptoms / syndromes?
atypical chest pain
unexplained palpitations
what is a rheumatology functional syndrome?
fibromyalgia
what is an infectious diseases functional syndrome?
post viral chronic fatigue syndrome
what is an immunological functional syndrome?
multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome
what things should be asked about when taking history of functional disorder?
take time over history get clear timescale ask about disability ask about dissociation (dizzy, faint) ask about other medical experiences illness beliefs?
should you always examine a patient with suspected functional disorder?
yes
inconsistent findings are common in functional symptoms
what does the formulation of findings need to be?
make sense, be transparent and collaborative
needs to apply to patients context and be understood
what can be used in the treatment of functional disorders?
treat the treatable eg comorbid psychiatric illness
CBT is treatment of choice
tricyclic antidepressants (imipramine, amitriptyline) useful
breathing retraining (for panic disorder / hyperventilation)
