Somatic Symptom Disorders Overview

Podcast Beta

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is often demonstrated by laboratory examinations in patients with functional neurologic symptom disorder?

Persistent electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities

Intact sensory and nervous system despite clinical symptoms (correct)

Significant nerve damage

Structural abnormalities in the dominant hemisphere

Which finding is commonly associated with neuroimaging in functional neurologic symptom disorder?

Structural abnormalities in the left hemisphere

Decreased activity in cortical and subcortical circuits (correct)

Elevated limbic activity during physical symptoms

Increased activation of the visual cortex during blindness

What typically triggers the onset of symptoms in functional neurologic symptom disorder?

Chronic neurologic diseases

Acute infections

Genetic predispositions

Acute psychosocial stressors (correct)

What differentiates malingering from conversion disorder?

Malingering involves a higher degree of conscious motivation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the common outcome for most symptoms of functional neurologic symptom disorder?

They alleviate on their own and quickly remit. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common psychiatric disorder associated with conversion disorder?

Depression Signup and view all the answers

What role does the limbic system play in functional neurologic symptom disorder?

It reflects concurrent activation and is linked with decreased cortex activity. Signup and view all the answers

How are pseudoseizures characterized in diagnosis?

By normal electrical activity in the brain during seizure-like movements. Signup and view all the answers

How are somatic symptom disorders with predominant pain currently classified in DSM-5?

Based on psychological factors, general medical conditions, or both Signup and view all the answers

What is considered the most prevalent complaint that leads patients to seek medical attention?

Pain Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated financial impact of pain-related disability on the U.S. economy?

$100 billion Signup and view all the answers

What is the lifetime incidence of pain disorder as per the European epidemiologic study mentioned?

12.7 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is NOT mentioned as a proposed etiology for pain disorders?

Genetic predisposition Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of internal medicine patients in a U.S. study reportedly had chronic pain?

14 Signup and view all the answers

What impact does understanding the underlying physical disease have on diagnosing pain disorders?

It may help avoid previous dualistic thinking Signup and view all the answers

How is pain disorder primarily categorized in relation to psychological factors?

It is not considered a mental disorder Signup and view all the answers

What factors may contribute to the development of functional neurologic symptom disorder?

Overwhelming environmental stressors Signup and view all the answers

How do some clinicians view the relationship between dissociative disorders and conversion disorders?

They involve the same mechanisms. Signup and view all the answers

Which treatment approach is typically recommended for chronic symptoms of functional neurologic symptom disorder?

Behavioral modification techniques Signup and view all the answers

What psychopharmacologic approach is suggested for patients with functional neurologic symptom disorder?

Medications for identified comorbid conditions Signup and view all the answers

What kind of therapy has been found to have limited effectiveness for chronic conversion symptoms?

Insight-oriented therapies Signup and view all the answers

What type of intervention might lead to the remission of acute conversion symptoms?

Hypnosis Signup and view all the answers

What role does positive reinforcement play in treating functional neurologic symptom disorder?

It encourages symptomatic improvement. Signup and view all the answers

How is functional neurologic symptom disorder classified in the ICD-10?

Alongside dissociative disorders Signup and view all the answers

What is often related to the hypersensitivity of somatic symptoms in individuals?

Concurrent emotions like depression and anxiety Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible motivation for individuals to exhibit somatic symptoms?

To gain financial support through disability payments Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a reason somatic symptoms may be amplified?

Natural physiological symptoms Signup and view all the answers

How can the sick role influence a person's behavior?

By enabling them to rationalize failures and avoid responsibilities Signup and view all the answers

What common factor is mentioned as potentially influencing the use of somatic symptoms for expressing psychosocial distress?

Trauma, especially in childhood Signup and view all the answers

Why might patients prefer to attribute psychological symptoms to physical causes?

Because physical illness carries less stigma than mental illness Signup and view all the answers

What misconception might physicians reinforce regarding somatic symptoms?

That all somatic symptoms are related to physical illness Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'multidetermined' imply in the context of somatic symptom disorders?

They can have multiple underlying causes Signup and view all the answers

What is a key principle when scheduling appointments for patients with somatic symptom disorder?

Frequent appointments should be scheduled without requiring new symptoms. Signup and view all the answers

What is a risk associated with invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures in patients with somatic symptom disorder?

They are at increased risk of iatrogenic complications. Signup and view all the answers

Why must clinicians be cautious when prescribing medications to patients with somatic symptom disorder?

They are at risk for impulsive behaviors, including suicide attempts. Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of management principles for somatic symptom disorder?

To reduce symptoms and manage medical care costs. Signup and view all the answers

What does research suggest about the longevity of patients with somatic symptom disorder?

Their longevity is not reduced compared to the general population. Signup and view all the answers

What type of behaviors may patients with somatic symptom disorder exhibit that influences their medical care?

They may seek out medications and procedures from accommodating providers. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common outcome of habituation in patients prescribed analgesics or anxiolytics?

Increased tolerance to medications. Signup and view all the answers

What approach should be avoided when dealing with patients with somatic symptom disorder according to management guidelines?

Adopting a confrontational stance regarding psychological issues. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders are often multidetermined and represent final common symptomatic pathways of many etiologic factors.
Somatic Symptoms can be:
- A mechanism for seeking social support
- A rationalization of failures in occupation, social, or sexual roles
- A way of obtaining nurturance
- A source of power
- A means of communication or a cry for help
Somatic Symptoms may be misinterpreted as physical disease, especially in cases of depression and panic disorder.
Many patients prefer to attribute their psychological symptoms to physical causes because physical illness is less stigmatizing than psychiatric illness.

Treatment is often multimodal and varies based on the acuteness of the symptom.
Acute symptoms may remit spontaneously or with suggestive techniques, while chronic symptoms often require behavioral modification.

Somatic Symptom Disorder With Predominant Pain

DSM-5 incorporates pain disorder into Somatic Symptom Disorder with the specifier of "with predominant pain".
It is categorized based on whether pain is associated with psychological factors, a general medical condition, or both.
This classification is superior to previous systems because it considers underlying physical disease, avoiding the either/or dualism.
Pain is a heterogeneous disorder, with no single etiologic factor likely to apply to all patients.

Somatic Symptom Disorder is a chronic problem that continues throughout the patient's life.
Management principles are aimed at reducing symptoms and containing medical care costs, not at cure.
Long-term studies found no evidence of reduced longevity in patients with Somatic Symptom Disorder, supporting the absence of underlying biological disease.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the complex nature of Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders through this quiz. Learn about the various interpretations, treatments, and underlying factors that contribute to these disorders. Understand how psychological symptoms can be masked as physical ailments and the implications of these interactions.