Unexplained symptoms Flashcards
What does unexplained symptoms involve?
Patients who have symptoms for which no organic cause can be found
How long have the symptoms usually been present?
For over 3 months and they are associated with impaired functioning.
What is Somatisation disorder?
Multiple physical symptoms present for at least 2 years
What do patients with somatisation disorder refuse to accept?
Patient refuses to accept reassurance or negative test results
What do people with somatisation disorder present with?
Physical symptoms that cannot be explained by a medical condition, drug or other mental health disorder
What is Illness anxiety disorder (hypochondriasis)?
Persistent belief in the presence of an underlying serious DISEASE, e.g. cancer
What do people with hypochondriasis resfuse to accept?
Patient refuses to accept reassurance or negative test results
What is conversion disorder?
Psychiatric condition that results in a presentation of neurological symptoms without any underlying neurological cause
What type of process is conversion disorder?
It is not an intentional process, and the symptoms are very much “real” to the patient
What is conversion disorder linked to?
Emotional stress.
What is malingering?
Patients intentionally fake or induce illness for secondary gain; e.g. drug seeking, disability benefits, avoiding work or prison time.
What is Dissociative disorder?
Dissociation is a process of ‘separating off’ certain memories from normal consciousness
What is dissociative identity disorder (DID)?
New term for multiple personality disorder as is the most severe form of dissociative disorder
What is another term for Munchausen’s syndrome?
Factitious disorder
What is Munchausen’s syndrome?
Patients intentionally fake signs and symptoms (e.g. adding blood to urine and complaining of pain) in order to gain attention and play “the patient role”.
