Somatic Sx DO Flashcards
(23 cards)
______ are characterized by the presentation of physical symptoms with no
medical explanation
Somatoform disorders
RF of Somatoform disorders
Somatization disorder affects women more than men and is usually
inversely related to SES. Usually begins by the age of 30
Personality associated with somatoform DO
male relatives tend to have antisocial personalitydisorder, whereas female relatives tend to have histrionic personality disorder
Commonly associated with somatoform DO
Commonly associated with major depressive disorder, personality disorders, substance-
related disorders, generalized anxiety disorders, and phobias
Tx of somatoform DO
Should increase the patient’s awareness of
the possibility that the symptoms are psychological in nature.
Individual psychotherapy is needed
to help patients cope with their symptoms and develop other ways of expressing their feelings
A disorder in which the individual experiences one or more neurologic symptoms that cannot be explained by any medical or neurologic disorder
CONVERSION DISORDER
RF of CONVERSION DISORDER
Seen more frequently in young women. Also more common among the lower SES, rural populations, low IQs, and military personnel
Personalities associated with CONVERSION DISORDER
Commonly associated with
passive-aggressive, dependent, antisocial, and histrionic personality disorder
Tx of CONVERSION DISORDER
Psychotherapy to establish a caring relationship with treater and focus on stress
and coping skills. Brief monthly visits with partial physical examinations
Sx of conversion DO
• Primary gain: Keeps internal conflicts outside patient’s awareness
• Secondary gain: Benefits received from being “sick”
• La belle indifference: Patient seems unconcerned about impairment.
• Identification: Patients usually model their behavior on someone who is important to
them.
A disorder characterized by the patient’s belief that he/she has some specific disease.
Despite constant reassurance, the patient’s belief remains the same. Symptoms must
occur for >6 months
ILLNESS ANXIETY DISORDER
Tx of ILLNESS ANXIETY DISORDER
Psychotherapy to help relieve stress and help cope with illness. Frequent, regularly
scheduled visits to patient’s medical doctor(s).
A disorder characterized by the belief that some body part is abnormal, defective,
or misshapen.
BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER
Associations of body dysmorphic DO
Other disorders that may be found include depressive disorders, anxiety
disorders, and psychotic disorders
SSx of BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER
- Most common concerns involve facial flaws
- Constant mirror-checking
- Attempt to hide the alleged deformity
- Housebound
- Avoids social situations
- Causes impairment in their level of functioning
Tx of BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER
Treatment. Individual psychotherapy to help deal with stress of alleged imperfections as well as reality testing. Pharmacotherapy may include the use of SSRIs, TCAs, or MAOIs
A disorder characterized by the conscious production of signs and symptoms
of both medical and mental disorders. The main objective is to assume the sick role and
eventually hospitalization.
FACTITIOUS DISORDER
2 types of FACTITIOUS DISORDER
imposed on self and imposed on others.
Etiology of factitious DO
Etiology. Seen more commonly in women and in hospital and health care workers. As children, many of the patients suffered abuse that resulted in frequent hospitalizations, thus their need to assume the sick role
SSx of factitious DO
- Typically demand treatment when in the hospital
- If tests return negative, they tend to accuse doctors and threaten litigation.
- Become angry when confronted
Tx of factitious DO
Usually involves management rather than cure. Must be aware of countertransference
when the physician suspects factitious disorder
Characterized by the conscious production of signs and symptoms for an obvious
gain (money, avoidance of work, free bed and board, etc.). It is not a mental disorder
MALINGERING
Sx of malingering
- Most express subjective symptoms.
* Tend to complain a lot and exaggerate its effect on their functioning and lives
