Functional Disorders Flashcards
What is a functional disorder?
Inability to associate symptoms with classic disease profile.
What are some common symptoms of functional disorders?
Pain Altered sensation Dizziness Movement disorders Weakness Seizures Cognitive symptoms
What are some of the issues surrounding functional disorders?
Misdiagnosis is common
Labelling as “all in patients head”
What are some unhelpful terms used to label functional diseases?
Non organic
Psychogenic
Psychosomatic
What is perhaps the most important thing to do when taking a history of someone with a suspected functional disease?
Take time and ensure the patient sees they are being listened to and taken seriously
What are some things that should be avoided in a history, as they often trap you in a negative mindset around the patient?
Benefits
Compensation claims
Difficult job
Difficult social circumstances
If a patient has a seizure but their back is arched what is it?
Functional not epileptic fit
What should you do in a physical exam of someone with a functional disease?
Try and illicit the functional symptoms
Always examine
What five points should be reinforced to the patient throughout you session with them?
Validate - This is common
Reversibility - Good prognosis it can be treated
Validate - Symptoms are genuine
Remove blame - Not your fault no secondary gain
But - Effort is needed to get better
What is the standard treatment for Functional disease?
CBT
Treat the comorbid psychiatric illness
What can help with panic disorders associated to functional disorder?
Breathing retraining
What medication can be used in Functional Disease?
Tricyclic antidepressants - Imipramine Amitriptyline
