Somatoform Disorders

Question 1

somatic symptom disorder - dx criteria

Answer 1

A. somatic symptoms: 1+ somatic symptoms that are distressing and/or result in significant disruption in daily life
B. 1+ of: excessive thoughts, feelings, and/or behaviors related to these somatic symptoms or associated health concerns
C. chronicity: state of being symptomatic is persistent and lasts > 6 months

NOTE - often the distressing symptoms are normal body functions

Question 2

examples of somatic symptoms

Answer 2

*chest pain
*fatigue
*dizziness
*headache
*edema
*back pain
*dyspnea
*insomnia
*abdominal pain
*numbness

Question 3

somatization

Answer 3

an unconscious process by which emotional distress is expressed as physical symptoms

Question 4

somatic symptom disorder - overview

Answer 4

persistent, excessive concern about one or more physical symptoms, resulting in significant emotional distress and impaired daily functioning

Question 5

illness anxiety disorder - overview

Answer 5

ongoing worry that one is gravely ill, despite the lack of a supporting medical diagnosis

Question 6

conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder) - overview

Answer 6

physical symptoms related to motor or sensory function (such as blindness, deafness, or paralysis) that cannot be explained by a medical condition or effect of a substance

Question 7

factitious disorder - overview

Answer 7

*old name: Munchausen syndrome
*repeatedly feigning illness for the purpose of gaining attention from health care professionals

Question 8

malingering

Answer 8

*falsifying symptoms for secondary gain such as food or shelter
*motivated by external gain (drugs, domestic violence, missing work or school)

Question 9

general treatment for somatoform disorders

Answer 9

*schedule frequent, brief visits with PCP
*validate distress caused by symptoms
*focus on function rather than cure

Question 10

illness anxiety disorder - dx criteria

Answer 10

A. preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness
B. somatic symptoms are not present or, if present, are only mild in intensity
*can be specified as care-seeking type or care-avoiding type
*at least 6 months

Question 11

conversion disorder - dx criteria

Answer 11

*clinical findings provide evidence of incompatibility between the symptom and recognized neurological or medical conditions
*specific symptoms types: motor and/or sensory
-sensory examples: blindness, deafness, numbness
-motor examples: aphonia, paralysis, tremors

Question 12

psychological factors affecting other medical conditions - dx criteria

Answer 12

A. the factors have influenced the course of the medical condition
B. the factors interfere with the treatment of the medical condition
C. the factors constitute additional well-established health risks for the individual

Question 13

psychological factors affecting other medical conditions - examples

Answer 13

*chronic occupational stress and hypertension
*anxiety and asthma
*depression and coronary artery disease
*alcohol abuse and liver disease
*smoking and COPD
*obesity and diabetes

Question 14

factitious disorder - dx criteria

Answer 14

*voluntary (conscious) production of signs or symptoms (history) to appear medically ill
*only identifiable motive is attaining the patient role

Question 15

factitious disorder by proxy

Answer 15

a person intentionally produces physical signs or symptoms in another person under the first person’s care (often their child or other dependent)