Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders

Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders

• Definition: A category of mental health disorders characterized by physical symptoms that are not fully explained by a medical condition or are excessive in response to a medical condition.
• Subtypes:
  1. Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD): Excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to physical symptoms, leading to significant distress or impairment.
     • Key features:
       • One or more somatic symptoms (e.g., pain, fatigue, digestive issues)
       • Excessive thoughts or anxiety about symptoms
       • Excessive time and energy devoted to symptoms
  2. Illness Anxiety Disorder: Preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness, despite medical reassurance.
     • Key features:
       • Preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness
       • No or minimal somatic symptoms
       • Excessive health-related behaviors (e.g., frequent doctor visits)
  3. Conversion Disorder (Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder): Sudden onset of neurological symptoms (e.g., paralysis, seizures) without a medical explanation.
     • Key features:
       • One or more symptoms affecting motor or sensory function
       • No medical explanation for symptoms
       • Symptoms typically resolve with psychological treatment
  4. Factitious Disorder: Intentional production or feigning of physical or psychological symptoms to assume a sick role.
     • Key features:
       • Intentional production or feigning of symptoms
       • Motivation to assume a sick role (e.g., attention, sympathy)

Delusional Disorders

• Definition: A category of mental health disorders characterized by non-bizarre delusions that are not better explained by another mental disorder.
• Subtypes:
  1. Delusional Disorder: Presence of one or more non-bizarre delusions that are not better explained by another mental disorder.
     • Key features:
       • One or more non-bizarre delusions (e.g., being followed, poisoned, or deceived)
       • Delusions are not bizarre (i.e., possible in real life)
       • No prominent hallucinations
  2. Erotomanic Type: Delusions of being loved by another person.
  3. Grandiose Type: Delusions of inflated worth, power, or knowledge.
  4. Jealous Type: Delusions of infidelity by a romantic partner.
  5. Persecutory Type: Delusions of being persecuted or threatened.
  6. Somatic Type: Delusions about physical health or appearance.
• Important notes:
  • Delusional disorders are distinct from schizophrenia, which involves bizarre delusions and prominent hallucinations.
  • Delusional disorders can be challenging to treat, as individuals may not acknowledge their delusions as false.

Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders

• Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD) is characterized by:
  • One or more somatic symptoms (e.g., pain, fatigue, digestive issues)
  • Excessive thoughts or anxiety about symptoms
  • Excessive time and energy devoted to symptoms
• Illness Anxiety Disorder is marked by:
  • Preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness
  • No or minimal somatic symptoms
  • Excessive health-related behaviors (e.g., frequent doctor visits)
• Conversion Disorder (Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder) is characterized by:
  • Sudden onset of neurological symptoms (e.g., paralysis, seizures) without a medical explanation
  • One or more symptoms affecting motor or sensory function
  • Symptoms typically resolve with psychological treatment
• Factitious Disorder involves:
  • Intentional production or feigning of physical or psychological symptoms
  • Motivation to assume a sick role (e.g., attention, sympathy)

Delusional Disorders

• Delusional Disorder is characterized by:
  • One or more non-bizarre delusions (e.g., being followed, poisoned, or deceived)
  • Delusions are not bizarre (i.e., possible in real life)
  • No prominent hallucinations
• Subtypes of Delusional Disorder include:
  • Erotomanic Type: Delusions of being loved by another person
  • Grandiose Type: Delusions of inflated worth, power, or knowledge
  • Jealous Type: Delusions of infidelity by a romantic partner
  • Persecutory Type: Delusions of being persecuted or threatened
  • Somatic Type: Delusions about physical health or appearance
• Important notes:
  • Delusional disorders are distinct from schizophrenia, which involves bizarre delusions and prominent hallucinations
  • Delusional disorders can be challenging to treat, as individuals may not acknowledge their delusions as false

Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders

• Characterized by excessive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to physical symptoms or perceived medical illness
• Excessive and persistent thoughts about the seriousness of one's symptoms
• High level of anxiety about illness or injury
• Excessive and repeated health-related behaviors, such as checking or testing
• Significant distress or impairment in daily life

Types of Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders

• Somatic Symptom Disorder: Focuses on specific symptoms, such as pain or fatigue
• Illness Anxiety Disorder: Fear of contracting or having a serious illness
• Conversion Disorder: Unexplained symptoms or deficits affecting voluntary motor or sensory function
• Factitious Disorder: Intentional production or feigning of physical symptoms

Delusional Disorders

• Characterized by non-bizarre delusions that are not better explained by another mental disorder
• Presence of one or more non-bizarre delusions, which are plausible and real-world
• No prominent hallucinations
• Not better explained by another mental disorder, such as schizophrenia or major depressive episode

Types of Delusional Disorders

• Erotomanic Type: Delusions of being loved by another person
• Grandiose Type: Delusions of grandeur or importance
• Jealous Type: Delusions of infidelity by one's partner
• Persecutory Type: Delusions of being persecuted or threatened
• Mixed Type: Presence of multiple delusional themes

Treatment of Delusional Disorders

• Focus on reducing symptoms and improving functioning
• Often involves antipsychotic medication and psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy