Somatic Disorders Flashcards
soma
body
somatic & disassociative disorders
preoccupation with health or appearance
physical complaints but no identifiable medical condition
Somatic symptom disorder
extreme persistent focus on physical symptoms in which no medical cause is evident
focused on anxiety and behavior and distress that cause impairment
illness and anxiety disorder
persistent preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness, somatic symptoms either aren’t present or are mild in severity
more worried about idea of illness than actual symptoms
reassurance from doctors helps little
onset can be any age, more common at adolescence or middle age
chronic course
Causes of somatic symptom and illness anxiety disorders
trigger -> perceived threat -> apprehension
three factors: stressful life events, high family disease incidence, benefits of illness
Treatments of somatic and illness anxiety disorder
psychodynamic - not supported by research
educational and supportive - for mild cases only
CBT more effective
Conversion Disorder
Physical malfunctions (blindness or paralysis) that suggest neurological impairment but w/o organic pathology
motor or sensory areas
not explained by medical condition
onset- adolescence
Malingering
deliberately faking a psychological or physical disorder
Causes of conversion disorder
Psychodynamic - trauma/conflict->repression->conversion to physical symptom. Primary and secondary gains.
Behavioral- attention
Family, social, cultural - people in lower SES
Treatment of conversion disorder
Psychodynamic
CBT
Factitious Disorder
Deliberately faking psychological or physical symptoms/disorders for no apparent gain other than sympathy and attention
Factitious Disorder imposed on another
intentionally producing symptoms in another person
previously called Munchhausen syndrome
