Chapter Ten: Disorders Featuring Somatic Symptoms

malingering

intentionally feigning illness to achieve some external gain

factitious disorder/Munchausen syndrome

a disorder in which a person feigns or induces physical symptoms, typically for the purpose of assuming the role of a sick person

factitious disorder imposed on another/Munchausen syndrome by proxy

parents or caretakers make up or produce physical illnesses in their children

Conversion Disorder

a disorder in which a person's bodily symptoms affect their voluntary motor and sensory functions, but the symptoms are inconsistent with known medical diseases

glove anesthesia

conversion symptom where numbness begins sharply at the wrist and extends evenly right to the fingertips

Somatic Symptom Disorder

a disorder in which people become excessively distressed, concerned, and anxious about bodily symptoms they’re experiencing, and their lives are disproportionately disrupted by the symptoms

somatization pattern

the individual experiences a large and varied number of bodily symptoms

predominant pain pattern

the person’s primarily bodily problem is the experience of pain

Electra complex

each girl experiences sexual feelings for her father and at the same time recognizes that she must compete with her mother for his affection

primary gain of somatic disorders

bodily symptoms keep their internal conflicts out of awareness

secondary gain of somatic disorders

their bodily symptoms further enable them to avoid unpleasant activities or to receive sympathy from others

illness anxiety disorder

a disorder in which people are chronically anxious about and preoccupied with the notion that they have or are developing a serious medical illness, despite the absence of somatic symptoms

Psychophysiological Disorders

disorders in which biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors interact to cause or worsen a physical illness

ulcers

lesions that form in the wall of the stomach or of the duodenum

asthma

a disease marked by the narrowing of the trachea and bronchi, resulting in shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and a choking sensation

insomnia

difficulty falling asleep or maintaining sleep

chronic headaches

frequent intense aches of the head or neck that aren’t caused by another physical disorder

muscle contraction / tension headaches

a headache caused by a narrowing of muscles surrounding the skull

migraine headaches

a very severe headache that occurs on one side of the head, often preceded by a warning sensation and sometimes accompanied by dizziness, nausea, or vomiting

hypertension

state of chronic high blood pressure

coronary arteries

the blood vessels that surround the heart and are responsible for carrying oxygen to the heart muscle

repressive coping style

a reluctance to express discomfort, anger, or hostility

psychoneuroimmunology

the study of the connections between stress, the body’s immune system, and illness

behavior medicine

the field of treatment that combines psychological and physical approaches to treat or prevent medical problems

Relaxation Training

a treatment procedure that teaches clients to relax at will so they can calm themselves in stressful situations

Biofeedback

a technique in which a client is given info about physiological reactions as they occur and learns to control the reactions voluntarily

EMG

a device that provides feedback about the level of muscular tension in the body

Meditation

technique of turning one’s concentration inward, achieving a slightly changed state of consciousness, and temporarily ignoring all stressors

mantra

a particular sound that people utter when meditating to help them focus their attention

mindfulness meditation

a person pays attention to the feelings, thoughts, and sensations that are flowing through their mind during meditation, but they do so with detachment and objectivity and without judgment

Hypnosis

people are guided by a hypnotist into a sleeplike, suggestible state during which they can be directed to act in unusual ways, feel unusual sensations, remember forgotten events, or forget remembered events

self-hypnosis

some people are able to induce their own hypnotic state with training

Jarell’s leg won’t allow him to stand upright, as his knee buckles every time he tries. Because of this, the military allowed him to gain an honorable discharge. However, Jarell was faking his bum leg. What is this an example of?

malingering

The case of Dee Dee and Gypsy Blanchard is a case of \_____ by proxy

Munchausen syndrome

Lacey admits her son, Garnett, to the hospital, saying that he is unable to keep down food and is having intense seizures. While in the hospital, Garnett continues to have seizures. However, after the doctors separate Lacey and Garnett, Garnett improves. What is going on here?

Lacey is suffering from Munchausen syndrome by proxy and is inducing Garnett’s seizures.

What is the difference between a person with a factitious disorder and a person with a conversion disorder?

Someone with a factitious disorder consciously wants and purposely produces symptoms while someone with a conversion disorder doesn’t.

Ashelle’s dad has many health concerns, and he has been very ill for years. Because of this, Ashelle is constantly checking over her own body, and contributes every change to a possible illness like the one her father has. What would you diagnose Ashelle with?

illness anxiety disorder