Topic 13: psychosomatic problems

Question 1

What was Galen’s view and its developments?

Answer 1

• View = passions of anger/fear/lust = causes illness
• Developed into 2 approaches:
  1) Psychosomatic Medicine
  2) Psychophysiological approach

Question 2

Describe psychosomatic medicine

Answer 2

• Establish psychological causation for physical disorders
• Asthma/eczema/ulcers
• Influenced by psychoanalysis BUT declined
• Little practical application now

Question 3

Describe psychophysiological approach

Answer 3

• Considers psychological processes rather than diagnostic categories
• Physiological responses are measured during experimental tasks = cause psychological processes e.g. listen to stimuli = press button as reaction
• Aim to examine if particular stimuli + psychological reaction = consistent physiological reaction
• Therefore see if particular stimuli responsible for developing specific disorders
• Explains why some people develop headache response to stress

Question 4

What is the role of psychological factors to somatic disorder based on?

Answer 4

• Patients with several previous medical referrals = ineffective treatment + conflicting explainations = psychological treatment as last resort
• Increasing number complicated psychological conditions in clinical populations
• Perception of condition differs between psychologist + patient
• Patient = physical problem more chronic = become distressed with failure of treatment = perceive psychological issue as a result of medical condition
• Psychologists = regard hypochondriasis + headache + sleep disturbance as symptoms of depression/anxiety

Question 5

3 categories of somatic presentation of psychological problems

Answer 5

1) Problems where observable/identifiable disturbances in bodily functioning
2) Problems where disturbance is primary perceived symptom = increased physical sensation e.g. fatigue/pain/dizziness OR heightened sensitivity to normal bodily sensations e.g. increased heartbeat due to exercise = are main concern rather than secondary to underlying physical illness
3) Mix of both

Question 6

Give examples of observable somatic presentation of psychological problems

Answer 6

• IBS
• Hypertension
• Tics
• Asthma
• Insomnia
• Skin conditions
• Psychogenic vomitting

Question 7

Give examples of perceived symptoms somatic presentation of psychological problems

Answer 7

• Hypochondriasis = fear of illness
• Somatization disorder = multiple unexplained symptoms
• Idiopathic pain disorder = chronic unexplained pain
• Hysterical conversion = neurological like symptoms
• Dysmorphophobia = distress in appearance

Question 8

Give examples of varied symptoms somatic presentation of psychological problems

Answer 8

• Headaches
• Disproportionate breathlessness
• Functional chest pain
• Chronic pain

Question 9

What are the most common somatic problems in medical setting?

Answer 9

• Insomnia
• Headaches
• IBS
• Hypochondriasis