Somatic Symptom & Related Disorders

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the clinical definitions, specifiers, and related psychosomatic conditions for Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders based on the GNK 581 lecture notes.

Soma

The Greek origin of the word somatic, meaning body.

Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD)

A disorder characterized by one or more somatic symptoms that are distressing or disruptive to daily life, accompanied by excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to those symptoms for more than 6 months.

Illness Anxiety Disorder (IAD)

A preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness where somatic symptoms are either not present or are mild, persisting for at least 6 months.

Care-seeking type

A specifier for Illness Anxiety Disorder where medical care, including physician visits or undergoing tests and procedures, is frequently used.

Care-avoidant type

A specifier for Illness Anxiety Disorder where medical care is rarely used.

Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder (FNSD)

Also known as Conversion Disorder, it involves one or more symptoms of altered voluntary motor or sensory function that are incompatible with recognized neurological or medical conditions.

Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self

The falsification of physical or psychological signs or symptoms, or induction of injury or disease, associated with identified deception even in the absence of obvious external rewards.

Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another

Deceptive behavior where an individual falsifies symptoms or induces injury/disease in another person (the victim) and presents them to others as ill/impaired/injured.

Psychological Factors Affecting Other Medical Conditions

A condition where a medical symptom or condition is present, and psychological or behavioral factors adversely affect its course, treatment, or pathophysiology.

Pseudocyesis

A false belief of being pregnant that is associated with objective signs and reported symptoms of pregnancy.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

A psychosomatic condition characterized by disabling fatigue, often associated with EBV infection, autonomic dysfunction, and orthostatic hypotension.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

A functional gastrointestinal disorder involving physiological bowel abnormalities without histology findings, often comorbid with anxiety and MDD.

Fibromyalgia

A condition characterized by multiple vague complaints of joint pain, stiffness, muscle tenderness, severe fatigue, and sleep disturbances.

Malingering

An intentional behavior involving the production of false or exaggerated physical or psychological symptoms motivated by external incentives such as financial gain or work avoidance.

Total Malingering

A form of malingering where the individual shows no sign of any actual mental deficiency.

Partial Malingering

A form of malingering where symptoms are actually present but are purposefully exaggerated.

Unspecified Somatic Symptom and Related Disorder

A diagnosis used when symptoms of a somatic symptom and related disorder are present but there is insufficient information to make a more specific diagnosis.

Brief Somatic Symptom Disorder

A specifier under 'Other Specified Somatic Symptom and Related Disorder' for symptoms meeting SSD criteria but lasting less than 6 months.