Luzenne Sanchez Jones PSYC 118X Clinical Psyc TTH 4:30-6:00 March 12, 2020

Matrix on Somatic Disorders

Classifications of Somatic Clinical Description Etiology Duration Possible Treatments
Disorders
1. Somatic Symptom -Used to be called Briquet’s -temperamental: negative -although 1 somatic symptom -hard to treat
Disorder syndrome – Pierre Briquet (1859) affectivity (neuroticism) may not be continuously present, -Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to
-Entire life revolves around -environmental: few years of the state of being symptomatic is provide reassurance, reduce stress, and
symptoms (symptoms are his/her education, low socioeconomic persistent (typically more than 6 minimize help-seeking behaviors
identity) status, stressful life events months) -therapy to broaden basis for relating to
-Experience of severe pain in -eventual social isolation others
which psychological factors -continual development of new -explanatory therapy
(anxiety and distress) play a major symptoms -gatekeeper physician
role in maintaining or -immediate sympathy and
exacerbating the pain whether attention
there is a clear physical reason for -restrictive concept of health as
the pain or not/ Reports of symptom free
multiple physical symptoms
without a medical basis
- Runs in families; probably
heritable basis
-Rare- most prevalent among
unmarried women in low
socioeconomic groups
-onset-usually in adolescence;
often persists into old age
2. Illness Anxiety Disorder -formerly known as - environmental: major life stress, -illness preoccupation has been -psychotherapy to challenge illness
“hypochondriasis” in DSM-IV abuse, childhood illness present for at least 6 months perceptions
-physical symptoms are either not - increased anxiety (may change over time) -counselling and/or support groups to
experienced at the present time -faulty interpretation of physical provide reassurance
or are very mild, but severe symptoms -exposure therapy
anxiety is focused on the -intensified focus on sensations -explanatory therapy
 possibility of having or developing -it is possible that some -gatekeeper physician
a serious disease individuals who developed these
-concern is primarily with the idea disorders have learned from
of being sick instead of the family members to focus their
physical symptom itself (anxiety anxiety on specific physical
and fear that one has a serious conditions and illness
disease)
-severe anxiety over physical
problems that are medically
undetectable
-affects women and men equally
-may emerge at any age
-evident in diverse cultures
3. Psychological Factors -the presence of a diagnosed -stress - can occur across the lifespan - Treatment includes the person learning
Affecting Medical medical condition such as asthma, -no clear research data about the effects of their thoughts and
Condition diabetes, or severe pain clearly behaviors on their medical condition. It
caused by a known medical also includes psychotherapy to help the
condition such as cancer that is person deal with their condition and to
adversely affected (increased in follow treatment recommendations for
frequency or severity) by one or the medical condition.
more psychological or behavioral
factors which have a direct
influence on the course or
perhaps the treatment of the
medical condition
4. Conversion Disorder -generally have to do with -temperamental: maladaptive - Onset has been reported -identify and attend to the traumatic or
physical malfunctioning, such as personality traits throughout the life course. stressful life event, if it is still present
paralysis, blindness, or difficulty -environmental: childhood abuse (either in real life or in memory)
speaking (aphonia), without any and neglect, stressful life events -reducing any reinforcing or supportive
physical or organic pathology to -genetic and physiological: consequences of the conversion symptoms
account for the malfunction presence of neurological disease (secondary gain)-(ex. punishing mobility
-severe physical dysfunctioning that causes similar symptoms and awarding immobility of patient)
(paralysis and blindness without -social influences (symptoms -catharsis- therapeutic assistance in
corresponding physical pathology learned from observing real illness reexperiencing or “reliving” the event
 -affected people are genuinely or injury) -hypnosis-added little or no effect to CBT
unaware that they can function -life stresses or psychological -same as for somatic symptom disorder
normally conflict with emphasis on resolving life stress or
-may coincide with somatic -reduced by incapacitating conflict and reducing help-seeking
symptom disorder symptoms behaviors
-most prevalent in low -marked biological vulnerability to
socioeconomic groups, women develop conversion disorder
and men under extreme stress when under stress
5. Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self The exact cause of factitious - chronic long-term condition -Treatment of factitious disorder is often
(Imposed on Self) -a set of conditions which fall disorder is not known, but difficult, and there are no standard
somewhere between malingering researchers believe both therapies. Because people with factitious
and conversion disorder biological and psychological disorder want to be in the sick role, they're
-the symptoms are under factors play a role in the often unwilling to seek or accept
voluntary control, as with development of this disorder. treatment for the disorder. However, if
malingering, but there is no Some theories suggest that a approached in a gentle, nonjudgmental
obvious reason for voluntarily history of abuse or neglect as a way, a person with factitious disorder may
producing the symptoms except, child, or a history of frequent agree to be treated by a mental health
possibly, to assume the sick role illnesses in themselves or family professional.
and receive increased attention members that required - Treatment often focuses on managing
hospitalization, may be factors in the condition, rather than trying to cure it.
Imposed on Another the development of the disorder. Treatment generally includes:
-when an individual deliberately Most patients with factitious  Having a primary care
makes someone else sick (ex. disorder have histories of abuse, doctor. Using one doctor or other
Mother purposely making child trauma, family dysfunction, social gatekeeper to oversee medical
sick for attention and pity) isolation, early chronic medical care can help manage needed care
-previously known as illness, or professional experience and the treatment plan and
Munchausen syndrome by proxy in healthcare (training in nursing, reduce or eliminate visits to
health aid work, etc.). numerous doctors, specialists and
surgeons.
 Psychotherapy. Talk therapy
(psychotherapy) and behavior
therapy may help control stress
and develop coping skills. If
possible, family therapy also may
 be suggested. Other mental health
disorders, such as depression, also
may be addressed.
 Medication. Medications may be
used to treat additional mental
health disorders, such as
depression or anxiety.
 Hospitalization. In severe cases, a
temporary stay in a psychiatric
hospital may be necessary for
safety and treatment.
Treatment may not be accepted or may
not be helpful, especially for people with
severe factitious disorder. In these cases,
the goal may be to avoid further invasive
or risky treatments. In cases where the
factitious disorder is imposed on others,
the doctor assesses for abuse and reports
the abuse to the appropriate authorities, if
indicated.

6. Other Specified Somatic  Brief Somatic Symptom -symptoms less than 6 months
Symptom and Related Disorder
Disorders
 Brief Illness Anxiety -symptoms less than 6 months
Disorder
 Illness Anxiety Disorder
without Excessive Health
Related Behaviors-
Criterion D for illness
anxiety disorder is not
met
 Pseudocyesis – a false
belief of being pregnant
that is associated with
objective signs and
reported symptoms of
pregnancy