Unexplained Symptoms

Question 1

Describe somatisation syndrome

Answer 1

Multiple physical symptoms present for at least 2 years

Patients refuse to accept reassurance or negative test results

Question 2

Describe hypochondrial disorder

Answer 2

Persistent belief in the presence of a serious underlying disease e.g. cancer
Patient refuses to accept reassurance or negative test results

Question 3

Describe conversion disorder

Answer 3

Typically involves loss of motor or sensory function
Patient doesn’t consciously feign the symptoms (factitious disorder) or seek material gain (malingering)
Patients may be indifferent to their apparent disorder- la belle indifference (not backed up by some studies)

Question 4

Define dissociation

Answer 4

Process of ‘separating off’ certain memories from normal consciousness

Question 5

Another name for factitious disorder

Answer 5

Munchausens syndrome

Question 6

What is munchausens syndrome / factitious disorder?

Answer 6

Intentional production of physical or psychological symptoms

Question 7

What is malingering?

Answer 7

Fraudulent stimulation or exaggeration of symptoms with the intention of financial or other gain