Somatoform Disorders Flashcards
Overly preoccupied with health or body appearance. Physical complaints without a medical condition
Somatoform disorders
Symptoms suggest a physical disorder, cannot adequately be explained physiologically, and are often described in dramatic ways
somatization disorder
By what age must somatization disorders manifest?
age 30
How many symptoms must occur to qualify as somatization disorder?
4 pain symptoms, 2 GI symptoms, 1 sexual symptom, 1 pseudoneurological symptom
T/F somatization disorders are the same across cultures
false, symptoms vary. feeling of worms and ants in under skin more common in Asia/Africa
Goals of somatization disorder tx
reduce visits to numerous medical specialists and assign one PCP
Age of onset for conversion disorder
10-35 yrs
Severe physical dysfunctioning without pathology. Genuinely unaware they can fxn normally. More common in lower SES, women, men under stress
conversion disorder
Believed to be caused by past trauma or detachment from trauma
conversion disorder
Main symptom is pain. May be exacerbated by psychosocial factors. May be maintained by gain
pain disorder
10-15% of US adults, equally affects both genders, any age at onset and associated with unemployment, disability, substance abuse, depression, family problems
pain disorder
No physical symptoms are necessary. Preoccupied with the possibility that normal sensations are symptoms of serious disease. Over-report bodily sensations
hypochondriasis
How long must symptoms of hypochondriasis be present to diagnose it as a disorder
at least 6 months
Most common manifestations of conversion disorder
paralysis, blindness, mutism
A naive, inappropriate lack of emotion or concern for the perceptions by others of one’s disability, usually seen in persons with conversion disorder
La belle indifference
How many symptoms need to be present to diagnose conversion disorder?
one or more affecting voluntary motor or sensory function
Affects 1-5% of community, both genders equally, usually presents in an adult. Course of disorder waxes and wanes
hypochondriasis
Excessive concern with real or imagined defects in appearance, especially facial marks or features
body dysmorphic disorder
Either fixation or avoidance of mirrors. Suicidal Ideation and Suicidal Behavior are common
body dysmorphic disorder
Affects both genders. Onset begins in childhood or adolescence. Associated with excessive grooming, removal of mirros, social isolation, surgical procedures
body dysmorphic disorder
Medical tx for body dysmorphic disorder
SSRIs
Levels of this hormone are elevated in patients with somatization disorder
cortisol
Theory that attributes somatoform disorders to repressed sexual urges
psychoanalytic theory
Theory that attributes somatoform disorders to malingering, social learning/reinforcement, secondary gain
behavior theory
Associated with fears of aging and death, “doctor shopping”, poor relationships with providers, past experience with disease, family and work problems
hypochondriasis
fancy term for false pregnancy
pseudocyesis
