Week 10 - Ch 8 - Somatic Symptom Disorders Summary (DN)

Question 0

What are the major somatic symptom disorders in DSM-5?

Answer 0

Somatic Symptom Disorder
Illness Anxiety Disorder
Conversion Disorder/Functional Neurological Disorder

Question 1

What is the common feature or somatic symptom disorders?

Answer 1

excessive focus on physical symptoms

nature varies by disorder though

Question 2

Define Somatic Symptom Disorder?

Answer 2

recurrent somatic symptoms
cause unwarranted anxiety
require too much time/energy

Question 3

Define Illness Anxiety Disorder

Answer 3

the belief a severe disease exists in the absence of somatic symptoms

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Question 4

Define Conversion/Functional Neurological Disorder

Answer 4

its characterised by sensory & motor dysfunctions that cannot be explained by medical tests

Question 5

What may precipitate the sudden onset of Somatic Symptom Disorders?

Answer 5

Stressful situations

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Question 6

What does the Neurobiological model of Somatic Symptom Disorders suggest?

Answer 6

that some people may have a propensity toward

• hyperactivity in brain regions involved in evaluating unpleasantness of somatic sensations (anterior insula & anterior cingulate)
• these regions are also implicated in negative emotions & depression

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Question 7

What is the focus of the cognitive behavioural models of somatic symptom disorders?

Answer 7

cognitive bias when attenting to and interpreting somatic symptoms

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Question 8

What kind of behavioural responses result from the excessive health concerns (cognitive behavioural model)?

Answer 8

• disengagement & isolation - (fear for delegitimising symptoms)
• excessive help-seeking behaviour

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Question 9

What have psychodynamic theories of Conversion/Functional Neurological Disorder focussed on?

Answer 9

unconscious: the idea that people are unaware of their perceptions
motivation: reinforcers motivate person to have symptoms

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Question 10

How can physicians reduce health care seeking behaviour in patients with Conversion/Functional Neurological Disorder?

Answer 10

minimise use of diagnostic tests

instead provide warm reassurance regarding patient concerns

Question 11

What cognitive behavioural strategies have been helpful for somatic symptom disorders?
What else has been found to relieve pain?

Answer 11

helping clients to:
- change cognitive responses to physical symptoms
- rebuild rewarding, engaging lifestyles
- shift from the ‘sick role’
low doses of antidepressant medication may help relieve pain

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