Medically unexplained symptoms

Question 1

What are somatoform disorders?

Answer 1

symptoms suggestive of physical disorder but in the absence of a physiological illness, presumption caused by psychological factors

Question 2

why might people show symptoms of somatoform disorders?

Answer 2

adopting sick role, provides relief from stressful or unachievable interpersonal expectations (primary gain)

the attention and care from others, even financial rewards (secondary gain)

Question 3

What could cause somatoform disorders?

Answer 3

genes
PTSD sufferers
physical and sexual abuse
‘sick role’ to gain relief from stress

Question 4

What are dissociative (conversion) disorders?

Answer 4

symptoms that cannot be explained by medical disorder, convincing association in time between symptoms and stressful events

*stress converted to symptoms

includes dissociation from normal consciousness as defence mechanism and then conversion into physical symptoms

Question 5

What is the prevalence of somatoform disorders?

Answer 5

0.1-2%
more in females, before 30