ABNORMAL

Somatoform Disorders

A pattern of recurring, multiple and significant bodily(somatic) complaints that extend over several years. The physical symptoms (pain, vomiting, paralysis, blindness) are not under voluntary control, have no known physical causes, and are believed to be caused by psychological factors.
 
         Hypochondriasis
A condition in which a person believes that they have a serious disease despite repeated medical findings to the contrary.

 
  Somatization Disorder
A somatoform disorder that begins before age 30. lasts several years and is characterized by multiple symptoms -- including pain, gastrointestinal, sexual, and neurological symptoms -- that have no physical causes but aretriggered by psychological problems or distress.

 
  Conversion Disorder
A type of somatoform disorder characterized by unexplained and significant physical symptoms or deficits that affect voluntary motor or sensory functions and that suggest a real neurological or medical problem.

 
  Etiology of Somatoform Disorders
  1.   Psychodynamic
      2. Intrapsychic conflict is converted to symptoms that disrupt physical functioning
  2.   Behavioral
      3. Somatoform symptoms are learned & maintained by modeling and positive reinforcement
Chapter Outline