Disorders Of Bodily Preoccupation

Somatoform Disorders  Body response that suggest a physical problem, often dramatic in nature.  No identifiable physical etiology.  It is generally thought that anxiety or other emotions are being expressed through physical means. Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

Somatoform Disorders Break down into: Pain disorders Somatization disorders (Briquet's syndrome) Conversion disorder Hypochondriasis Body dysmorphic disorder Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

Pain Disorders  Pain disorders exist when pain reports are inconsistent with, or in excess of what would be expected from any physical injury (if one exists)  Can be acute (less than 6 months duration) or chronic  A biopsychosocial model of pain is widely accepted today Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

Treating Pain Disorders Medication Surgery Operant conditioning Cognitive-behavioral therapy Biofeedback Psychotherapy Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

Conversion Disorder Occurs when the body appears healthy (no organic impairment), yet does not function properly. - Symptoms affect voluntary motor or sensory functioning - Psychological factors judged to be causally related (e.g. shown by temporal relationship, help avoid or escape, elicit support) - Symptoms are not under voluntary control - Symptoms are not fully explicable by physical mechanism - Symptoms not limited to pain or sexual dysfunction - Symptoms are not due to somatization or schizophrenia Most criteria are by exclusion—hard to prove Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

A model of Hypochondriasis Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

Differential diagnosis Major alternatives are: 1.Real, but undiagnosed medical disorder 2.Malingering (presenting symptoms for secondary gain) 3.Factitious Disorder in which symptoms are voluntarily produced by the person An extreme form of Factitious Disorder is Munchausen Syndrome, in which the person might simulate symptoms or even manipulate medical test results Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005