Somatisation Flashcards
1
Q
What is the definition of somatisation?
A
Bodily symptoms with no sufficient cause for them, presumed psychological causation
2
Q
How common is somatisation?
A
0.2% lifetime prevalence
3
Q
What is the pathology of somatisation?
A
- Includes:
- Somatic symptom disorder
- Illness anxiety disorder and many more…
- Stress → release of cortisol = can lead to physical symptoms
4
Q
What are the risk factors/aetiology of somatisation?
A
- Before the age of 40
- Major depressive disorder
- Major anxiety disorder
- Childhood illness
- History of parental anxiety when patient was a child
- First degree relative
- Childhood sexual abuse
5
Q
What are the signs/symptoms of somatisation?
A
- Long, complex medical histories
- Mainly non specific general symptoms
- Discrepancies in subjective and objective findings
- Either many systems affected or one system affected until no cause can be found and then another system is affected
- Patients life revolves around their illness
- Excessive use of medical services and alternative therapies
6
Q
What investigation are conducted for suspected somatisation?
A
- Observe patient in waiting room for inconsistency in symptoms
- Obtain full hospital and GP notes
- History: full details of current symptoms, illness beliefs, past medical history
- Mental state examination
7
Q
What are the non pharmacological treatments for somatisation?
A
- Reassure
- Physiotherapy
- Psychotherapy
- Pain management clinic
- Stop or ↓ unnecessary drugs
- Educate patient/family
- Plan appointment frequently
- CBT
- Group therapy
