Somatoform Disorder

Christina Santos Abnormal Psychology

What are Somatoform Disorders?

They are a group of disorders in which people experience significant physical symptoms for which there is no apparent organic cause.

No strong reasons to believe that psychological factors are involved.

Individuals with Somatoform Disorders

They do not consciously produce or control the symptoms.

They truly experience the symptoms

Symptoms pass only when the psychological factors that led to the symptoms are resolved.

Diagnosing Somatoform Disorders

It is difficult to diagnose somatoform disorders to individuals because there might or is a possibility that an individual has real physical disorder

Diagnosing Somatoform Disorder

It is made easy when
Diagnosing Somatoform Disorder

psychological factors can be identified

when physical examination cannot prove that symptoms are Physiologically possible

Distinguishing Somatoform Disorders from related disorders

Somatoform Disorders
Does not have any illness or defect that can be documented with tests

Psychosomatic
Person actually has physical illness or defects. Medical tests are able to prove it

Malingering
Actually experiences the symptom but has no organic basis People fake a symptom to avoid an unwanted situation. Factitious Disorders Person deliberately fakes an illness to gain medical attention

Types of Somatoform Disorders

Conversion Disorder
Most dramatic type of somatoform disorder Lose functioning in a part of their bodies. Ex. Glove Anesthesia

Somatization and Pain Disorders

Long history of complaints about physical symptoms affecting different areas in the body for which medical attention has been sought but that appear to have no physical cause.

Types of Somatoform Disorders

Hypochondriasis
Worry that they have a serious disease but do not always experience severe physical symptoms.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Excessively preoccupied with a part of their bodies that they believe is defective. Tend to obsess about different parts of their bodies.