somatic symptom disorder
the patient presents with multiple somatic symptoms at one time that are significant enough to impact their daily functioning
A lack of medical explanation is not needed for a diagnosis of somatic symptom disorder, as it is assumed that the individual’s suffering is authentic
Somatic symptom disorder is often diagnosed when another medical condition is present, as these two diagnoses are not mutually exclusive.
illness anxiety disorder
characterized by concern over having or acquiring a serious illness, and not the actual presence of somatic symptoms. Individuals spend a great deal of time scanning and analyzing their body for “clues” of potential ailments.
the patient does not typically present with any somatic symptoms but if they do, the symptoms are just mild in intensity
functional neurological symptom disorder
characterized by one or more symptoms of altered voluntary motor or sensory function that are not compatible with the symptom pattern of any known neurological condition
factitious disorder
characterized by deliberate falsification of medical or psychological symptoms of oneself or another, with the overall intention of deception
somatic symptom disorders prevalence
Though prevalence rates for somatic symptom disorders are hard to determine, it is believed that between 1 and 10% of the population suffer from one of these disorders.
somatic symptom disorders gender
Females are more like to be diagnosed with somatic symptom disorder and are as likely as males to be diagnosed with illness anxiety disorder.
comorbidity somatic symptom disorder
Anxiety and depression have a high comorbidity with somatic symptom and related disorders.
PTSD and OCD
Central sensitivity syndrome
functional neurological symptom disorder and illness disorder comorbidity with…
frequently occur with personality disorders
psychodynamic causes of somatic disorders
primary (internal motivators) and secondary gains (external)
the primary gain, according to psychodynamic theorists, provides protection from the anxiety or emotional symptoms and/or conflicts (physical symptom such as pain, headache, etc.)
The secondary gain, the external experiences from the physical symptoms that maintain these physical symptoms, can range from attention and sympathy to missed work, obtaining financial assistance, or psychiatric disability, to name a few.
cognitive causes of somatic disorder
negative beliefs or exaggerated fears of physiological sensations
behavioral causes of somatic disorders
reinforcers such as attention gained from others or receiving disability
sociocultural causes of somatic disorders
familial influence and culture
