Health anxiety, somatisation, medically unexplained symptoms and eating disorder

Question 1

Knowledge of the normal and abnormal psychological and behavioural responses to physical illness such as sick role and illness behaviours

Question 2

Knowledge of the epidemiology, aetiology, clinical presentation (including ICD-10) and prognosis of the following disorders: eating disorders, somatoform disorders and dissociative disorders

Answer 2

Question 3

Knowledge of the common comorbidity of eating disorders, somatoform disorders and dissociative disorders

Answer 3

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Previous trauma/abuse (childhood)
• Personality disorder
• Consequences of malnutrition
  
  • Cardiovascular abnormalities: Arrythmias
  • Dry hair/skin
  • Electrolyte disturbance
  • Renal failure

Question 4

Knowledge of the physical, psychiatric and social consequences of eating disorders, somatoform disorders and dissociative disorders

Answer 4

Eating disorders

Physical consequences: CV effects (QT prolongation, arrythmias, heart block), fatigue, renal damage, electrolyte imbalance

Psychiatric: Depression, body dysmorphia

Social: Social exclusion

Somatoform disorders

Physical consequences: Obsession surrounding health

Dissociative disorder

Psychiatric consequences: Lack of recognition of illness, denial of triggering trauma

Question 5

Knowledge of the principles of management of eating disorders

Answer 5

Question 6

Knowledge of the principles of management of somatisation and dissociative disorders

Answer 6

Question 7

Knowledge of the relationships between physical illness and psychiatric disorders

Answer 7

Chronic pain/illness → depression

Physical illness suffered by family members → anxiety about health