387: Week 9 - Somatoform Disorders

Question 1

What are somatoform disorders?

Answer 1

• patient experiences physical symptoms as a result of psychological stress (psychobiological factors)
• physical symptoms suggest a physical disorder with no demonstrable base
• result from mind-body interactions

Question 2

What is somatization?

Answer 2

• the expression of psychological stress through physical symptoms -> physical symptoms are the result of emotional stress
• complaints of physical symptoms can not be medical explained
• certain psychological factors can initiate, exacerbate and maintain presence of somatization
• patient is unable to voluntarily control symptoms
• symptoms are NOT intentionally produced

Question 3

What characterizes a diagnosis of a somatization disorder?

Answer 3

• history of many physical complaints
• expression of 4 pain symptoms (polysymptomatic)
• expression of 2 GI symptoms
• expression of 1 sexual symptoms
• expression of 1 pseudoneurological symptom

Question 4

What is conversion disorder?

Answer 4

• one or more symptoms suggestive of a neurological disorder -> motor symptom, sensory deficit, seizure/convulsion
• cannot be explained by a known neurological or medical disorder
• client expresses a lack of appropriate concern for the presentation of symptoms (labile indifference)

Question 5

Describe some of the symptoms that would indicate a conversion disorder

Answer 5

• impaired coordination of balance
• paralysis
• aphonia (inability to produce sound)
• difficulty swallowing or sensation of a lump in throat
• urinary retention
• loss of sensation
• vision impairment including blindness
• deafness
• hallucinations
• seizures

Question 6

What is ‘pain disorder’?

Answer 6

-pain in one or more sites that is main focus of ind
-pain is severe enough to cause pt to seek medical attn
-pain causes distress or disruption to social or occupational functioning
-

Question 7

What factors impact the presentation of pain disorder?

Answer 7

• psychological factors have sig role

- onset of pain is usually result of psychological factors such as traumatic or humiliating experience

Question 8

What is ‘hypochondriasis’?

Answer 8

• a preoccupation with the fear or idea of having/developing a serious illness
• a misinterpretation of bodily symptoms
• not delusional in intensity -> they may be able to let the fear go but often move onto another issue
• causes distress and disruption of functioning
• pre-occupation that lasts for at least 6 months

Question 9

What is ‘Body Dysmorphic Disorder’?

Answer 9

• a preoccupation with a real (but slight) or an imagined defect in appearance (large nose, thinning lips, small genitals)
• causes distress and disruption in functioning