Psychology Chapter 16: Somatoform Disorders
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of treatment for clients with somatic symptoms?

  • Managing symptoms and improving quality of life (correct)
  • Diagnosing the exact somatic disorder
  • Reducing the frequency of doctor visits
  • Curing the underlying pathology
  • What is the role of healthcare providers in treating clients with somatic symptoms?

  • Providing a quick cure
  • Showing empathy and sensitivity, fostering trusting relationships (correct)
  • Providing a diagnosis and medication
  • Encouraging doctor shopping
  • Which medication is often used to treat clients with somatic symptoms?

  • Narcotic analgesics
  • Antidepressants like fluoxetine (correct)
  • Corticosteroids
  • Benzodiazepines
  • What is the goal of therapeutic interventions in treating clients with somatic symptoms?

    <p>To involve the client in therapy groups</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the prognosis for clients with functional neurological symptom disorder?

    <p>Can remit in a few weeks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary goal of assessment in clients with somatic symptoms?

    <p>To investigate the client's physical health status</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is characteristic of a client's history when assessing somatic symptoms?

    <p>A detailed medical history, with a focus on physical ailments</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is characteristic of a client's mood and affect when assessing somatic symptoms?

    <p>Labile, shifting from sad to excited</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is characteristic of a client's thought processes and content when assessing somatic symptoms?

    <p>Vague, with a focus on physical ailments</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the characteristic of a client with conversion disorder when assessing somatic symptoms?

    <p>Displaying la belle indifference</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Characteristics of Somatoform Disorders

    • Physical complaints lack demonstrable organic basis, and psychological factors play a role in initiating, exacerbating, and maintaining symptoms
    • Symptoms or magnified health concerns are not under the client's conscious control

    Types of Somatoform Disorders

    • Somatic symptom disorder: multiple physical symptoms, combining pain, GI, sexual, and pseudoneurologic symptoms
    • Conversion disorder (Functional neurological symptoms disorder): unexplained deficits in sensory or motor function associated with psychological factors, with an attitude of la belle indifference
    • Pain disorder: pain unrelieved by analgesics, influenced by psychological factors
    • Hypochondriasis (Illness anxiety disorder): preoccupation with the fear of having a serious disease or will get a serious disease

    Onset and Clinical Course

    • Somatization disorder, conversion disorder, and pain disorder are more common in women
    • Hypochondriasis and body dysmorphic disorders occur equally in men and women
    • Somatoform disorders are either chronic or recurrent, lasting for decades
    • Onset of somatization and body dysmorphic disorder is around 25 years; conversion disorder, 10 to 35 years; pain disorder and hypochondriasis occur at any age

    Etiology

    • Psychosocial theories: anxiety, frustration, and feelings expressed through physical symptoms rather than verbally
    • Nonconscious process control: individuals are not consciously aware of the process and do not voluntarily control it
    • Limited verbal expression of emotions: people do not readily express their feelings and emotions verbally
    • Difficulty with interpersonal conflict: physical symptoms tend to worsen in situations involving conflict or emotional stress
    • Psychological needs and gains: physical symptoms worsen to fulfill psychological needs for security, attention, and affection through primary and secondary gain

    Biology Theories

    • Stimulus regulation in somatoform disorders: differences in regulating and interpreting stimuli
    • Misinterpretation of normal sensations: clients attribute a pathological meaning to normal body sensations
    • Amplification of minor discomfort: minor discomfort is amplified due to excessive concern and focus on the sensation
    • Impact of acute stress on gastrointestinal symptoms: acute stress can trigger visceral hypersensitivity linked to GI symptoms

    Cultural Considerations

    • Cultural variances in somatic symptoms: types and frequencies of somatic symptoms and their interpretations differ across cultures
    • Examples: dhat in India, Koro in Southeast Asia, Falling-out Episodes in the Southern U.S. and Caribbean, Hwa-Byung in Korea, Sangue Dormido in Portuguese Cape Verde Islanders, and Shenjing Shuairuo in China

    Treatment

    • Focus: managing symptoms and improving quality of life
    • Health care provider's role: show empathy and sensitivity, foster trusting relationships, and discourage "doctor shopping"
    • Medication: antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents
    • Therapeutic interventions: therapy groups, structured cognitive-behavioral group therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and education

    Prognosis

    • Functional neurological symptom disorder can remit in a few weeks
    • Recurrence in 20% to 25%
    • Somatic symptom disorders tend to be chronic or recurrent

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    Description

    Test your knowledge of somatoform disorders, including somatic symptom disorder and conversion disorder. Learn about the characteristics and symptoms of these disorders, and how they are diagnosed and treated. This quiz is perfect for psychology students and professionals looking to improve their understanding of psychological disorders.

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