Psychological and Medical Aspects of Somatic Symptom and Conversion Disorders

What is Factitious Disorder?

A disorder where a person intentionally produces or feigns physical symptoms because they wish to be a patient.

What is Malingering?

Intentionally producing physical symptoms for external incentives, such as avoiding work or gaining benefits.

What is Munchausen Syndrome?

An extreme form of factitious disorder where an individual deliberately causes or exaggerates symptoms to assume the sick role.

What is Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy?

A condition where someone, typically a caregiver, induces illness in another person to gain attention or sympathy.

What are the key features of Illness Anxiety Disorder?

Preoccupation with having a serious illness, minimal or no somatic symptoms, high anxiety about health, and excessive health-related behaviors lasting at least 6 months.

What medical conditions can be influenced by psychological factors?

Ulcers, asthma, insomnia, headaches, migraines, and chronic high blood pressure.

What are common psychological treatments for physical disorders?

Relaxation training, biofeedback, meditation, hypnosis, cognitive therapy, and support groups.

What are the DSM-5 criteria for Somatic Symptom Disorder?

One or more somatic complaints lasting at least 6 months, with obsessive thinking about seriousness, high health anxiety, or excessive time/energy on symptoms.

What are common symptoms in Somatic Symptom and Conversion Disorders?

Frequent physician visits, medication use, hospitalization, and surgeries.

What characterizes Conversion Disorder?

Presence of sensory or motor symptoms suggesting neurological illness, without physical cause, and causing significant distress or impairment.

What are examples of symptoms in Conversion Disorder?

Partial or complete paralysis, seizures, coordination issues, tingling sensations, vision problems, and glove anesthesia.

What is "glove anesthesia"?

A loss of sensation in the hand that doesn't match anatomical nerve patterns, common in Conversion Disorder.

According to the psychodynamic perspective, what are primary and secondary gains?

Primary gain: unconscious conflict avoidance through symptoms. Secondary gain: obtaining attention or avoiding unpleasant tasks.

What is the behavioral explanation for Conversion and Somatic Symptom Disorders?

Symptoms are rewarded behaviors that can bring attention or help avoid stressors.

What is the cognitive explanation for somatic symptoms?

Symptoms serve as a way to express or communicate emotional distress.

How does culture influence somatic symptoms?

In many non-Western cultures, emotional distress is often expressed through physical complaints.

Why do patients often seek therapy for somatoform disorders as a last resort?

Because they typically pursue extensive medical interventions first, believing their problems are physical.

What treatments are used for somatoform disorders?

Addressing underlying fears, exposure therapy, anti-anxiety medications, reinforcement approaches, and confrontation approaches.

What is the reinforcement approach in treating somatic disorders?

Removing rewards for exhibiting illness behaviors to reduce symptom reinforcement.

What is the confrontation approach in therapy?

Directly explaining that symptoms have no medical basis while addressing underlying psychological issues.