Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders

Question 1

Somatoform

Define Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders

Answer 1

Syndromes of nonspecific physical symptoms that after appropriate investigation cannot be fully explained by a known medical condition. It is associated with significant distress and impairment. In contrast to Factitious disorders and Malingering, the physical are not intentional.

Question 2

Somatoform

Define Somatisation

Answer 2

The manifestation of psychological distress by the presentation of bodily symptoms

Question 3

Somatoform

Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders Types (DSM-V)

Answer 3

• Somatic Symptom Disorder
• Illness Anxiety Disorder
• Conversion Disorder
• • (Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder)
• Psychological Factors Affecting other Medical Conditions
• Factitious Disorder (to self or another)
• Other
• • Brief somatic symptom disorder
• • Brief illness anxiety disorder
• • Pseudocyesis

Question 4

Somatoform

Define Somatic Symptom Disorder

Answer 4

A. One or more somatic symptoms that are distressing or result in significant disruption of daily life.
- Commonly in the form of pain or fatigue
B. The somatic symptoms causes very high levels of worry about the illness.
C. The symptoms last for more than 6 months

Question 5

Somatoform

Define Illness Anxiety Disorder

Answer 5

(Care seeking and care avoiding types)
A. Preoccupation with having a serious illness
B. Somatic symptoms are not present or mild in intensity compared to what would be expected
C. High level of anxiety about one’s health, and easily alarmed about personal health status
D. Individual performs excessive health-related behaviours, or exhibits maladaptive avoidance
E. Preoccupation > 6 months, but specific preoccupation may have changed
F. Not explained by another mental disorder

Question 6

Somatoform

Define Conversion Disorder

Answer 6

A. 1+ symptom of altered voluntary motor or sensory function
B. Clinical evidence of incompatibility between the symptom and recognised neurological or medical conditions
C. Symptom or deficit not better explained by another mental or medical disorder
D. Symptom or deficit causes clinically significant social/occupational impairment or warrants medical evaluation

Question 7

Somatoform

Define Factitious Disorder

Answer 7

(Can be to oneself or to another)
A. Falsification of signs or symptoms, or induction of injury or disease, to oneself (or victim), associated with identifiable deception
B. Presents oneself (or victim) to others as ill, impaired or injured
C. Deceptive behaviour is evident even in the absence or obvious external rewards
D. Not better explained by another mental disorder (i.e. delusional or another psychotic disorder)

Question 8

Somatoform

Define Pseudocyesis

Answer 8

A false belief of being pregnant that is associated with objective signs and reported symptoms of pregnancy

Question 9

Somatoform

Define Malingering

Answer 9

In malingering, feigning the illness has an external incentive (avoiding work, obtaining money etc)