Somatic Symptom Disorders

somatic symptom disorder

distressing physical symptoms with excessive pain in various places, begins before age of 30

personality characteristics of somatic symptom disorder

Heightened emotionality, strong dependency needs, and a preoccupation with symptoms and oneself 

nursing care for somatic symptom disorder

Validate the patient's pain while exploring emotional stressors, develop goals for functional improvement  

primary gain

motivators related to avoiding responsibility

secondary gain

emotional support that comes from being in pain (attention and love from others due to pain and sickness)

tertiary gain

improvement of relationship because of sickness of child (sick child syndrome)

somatic symptom disorder treatment

prozac is what pain responds to best, do not show interest in pain because you become reinforcer, treat them with indifference

somatization

Expression of stress through physical symptoms that are often manifestations of psychological and emotional distress (PAIN)

illness anxiety disorder

worry about illness despite minimal symptoms (FEAR), Unrealistic or inaccurate interpretation of physical symptoms or sensations, leading to a preoccupation with and fear of having a serious disease 

hypochondriasis

fear about a major disorder that is reinforced by minimal symptoms

illness anxiety disorder types

avoidant or seeker

conversion disorder

Neurologic symptoms without medical basis, la belle indifference, A loss of or change in body function that cannot be explained by any known medical disorder or pathophysiological mechanism 

conversion symptoms affect

voluntary motor or sensory functioning suggestive of neurological disease, Paralysis, pseudo pregnancy, pseudo seizures, blindness  

treatment conversion disorder

CBT, prozac

disorders under conscious control

factitious disorder and malingering

factitious disorder

munchausen syndrome, intentional symptoms for internal gain (sick role) (want secondary gain, not primary gain), The disorder may be imposed on another person under the care of the perpetrator (formerly called Factitious Disorder by Proxy). 

malingering

intentional symptoms for external gain (money, avoid duties), Making up symptoms to have a financial gain, not to play the role of the sick patient