SOMATIC

DISORDERS
By: Nitya Jaggi
WHAT ARE SOMATIC SYMPTOMS
AND RELTED DISORDES?
These are conditions in which there are physical
symptoms in the absence of a physical disease. In
these disorders, the individual has psychological
difficulties and complains of physical symptoms,
for which there is no biological cause.
These include:
•Somatic symptom disorder

•Illness anxiety disorder

•Conversion disorder

•Factitious disorder
SOMATIC SYMPTOM DISORDER
Somatic symptom disorder involves a person having
persistent body- related symptoms which may or may
not be related to any serious medical condition.
People with this disorder tend to be overly
preoccupied with
their symptoms and they continually worry about
their health
And make frequent visits to the doctor.
As a result, they experience significant distress and
disturbances in their daily life.
Somatic symptom disorder is diagnosed when a
person has a significant focus on physical symptoms,
such as pain, weakness or shortness of breath, to a
level that results in major distress and/or problems
functioning. The individual has excessive thoughts,
feelings and behaviours relating to the physical
symptoms. The physical symptoms may or may not
be associated with a diagnosed medical condition,
but the person is experiencing symptoms and
believes they are sick
People with this disorder think to a disproportionate
Degree about the seriousness of their symptoms.
They feel extremely anxious about them, and spend a
great deal of time and energy to the symptoms or
their concerns about their health.
A person is not diagnosed with somatic symptom disorder solely
because a medical cause can’t be identified for a physical
symptom. The emphasis is on the extent to which the thoughts,
feelings and behaviours related to the illness are excessive or out
of proportion.
•DIAGNOSIS: -One or more physical symptoms that are
distressing or cause disruption in daily life
-Excessive thoughts, feelings or behaviours related to the
physical symptoms or health concerns with at least one of the
following:
-Ongoing thoughts that are out of proportion with the
seriousness of symptoms.
-Ongoing high level of anxiety about health or symptoms.
-Excessive time and energy spent on the symptoms or health
concerns.
- At least one symptom is constantly present, although
there may be different symptoms and symptoms may
come and go.
 TREATMENT
Treatment for somatic symptom disorder is intended to
help control symptoms and to allow the person to function
as normally as possible.
Treatment for somatic symptom disorder typically involves
the person having regular visits with a trusted health care
professional. The physician can offer support and
reassurance, monitor heath and symptoms and avoid
unnecessary tests and treatments. Psychotherapy can help
the individual change their thinking and behaviour, and
learn ways to cope with pain or other symptoms, deal with
stress and improve functioning.
Antidepressant or anti-anxiety medications can be useful
if the person is also experiencing  significant depression or
anxiety.
 IILNESS ANXIETY DISORDER
Illness anxiety disorder involves persistent
preoccupation about developing a serious illness and
constantly worrying about this possibility. This is
accompanied by anxiety about one’s healthy.
Individuals with illness anxiety disorder are overly
concerned about undiagnosed disease, negative
diagnostic results, they do not respond to assurance
by doctors, and are easily alarmed about illness such
as on hearing about someone else’s health or some
such news.
Illness anxiety disorder was previously referred to as
"hypochondriasis." They may frequently check themselves for
signs of illness and take extreme precautions to avoid health
risks. Types of illness anxiety disorder-
Someone with illness anxiety disorder generally fits into one of
these categories:
Care-seeking: You spend a lot of time in a healthcare setting.
You seek advice from multiple specialists and request medical
tests.
Care-avoidant: You avoid doctors and medical care. You might
not trust doctors or you think they don’t take your symptoms
seriously. This can create more fear and anxiety.
DIAGNOSIS:
To diagnose illness anxiety disorder, healthcare providers refer
to the criteria listed in the American Psychiatric Association’s
(APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(DSM), 5th edition. Your provider may make a diagnosis or they
may refer you to a behavioural health specialist, such as a
psychologist or psychiatrist.
A persistent fear about having a serious illness or developing one
is the top symptom of illness anxiety disorder. Your provider
may diagnose illness anxiety disorder if you have health anxiety
(or other illness anxiety disorder symptoms) for six months or
longer even after tests show that you’re not sick.
TREATMENT:
Your healthcare provider may partner with a mental health
professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, to help you
manage the disorder. But you will continue to receive regular
care from your provider.
Treatment goals focus on improving quality of life by
minimizing symptoms. Treatments include:
Antidepressants to help you feel less anxious and/or depressed.
Cognitive behaviour therapy(CBT) to talk through your fears
and anxieties and learn healthy ways to cope.
 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOMATIC
SYMPTOM DISORDER AND ILLNESS
ANXIETY DISORDER.

In general, both somatic symptom disorder

and illness anxiety disorder are concerned
with medical illnesses. But the difference lies
in the way this concern is expressed. In the
case of somatic symptom disorder, this
expression is in terms of physical complaints
while in the case of illness anxiety disorder, as
the name suggests, it is the anxiety which is
the main concern.
 CONVERSION DISORDER
Conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder)
is a condition in which the symptoms affect a person’s
perception, sensation or movement with no evidence of a
physical cause. A person may have Paralysis, deafness,
numbness, blindness or trouble walking. The symptoms tend to
come on suddenly. The symptoms may last for a long time or may
go away quickly. These symptoms often occur after a stressful
experience. People with conversion disorder also frequently
experience depression or anxiety disorders.
Treatment
Psychotherapy and stress management training may help reduce
symptoms.
The affected body part or physical function may need physical or
occupational therapy until the symptoms go away. For example, a
paralyzed arm must be exercised to keep the muscles strong.
 FACTITIOUS DISORDER
Factitious disorder involves people producing or faking physical
or mental illness when they are not really sick, or intentionally
making a minor illness worse. A person with factitious disorder
may also create an illness or injury in another person (factitious
disorder imposed on another), such as faking the symptoms of a
child in their care. The person may or may not seem to benefit
(such as getting out of school or work) from the situation they
create.
For example- Munchausen's syndrome is a psychological
disorder where someone pretends to be ill or deliberately
produces symptoms of illness in themselves. Their main
intention is to assume the "sick role" so that people care for them
and they are the centre of attention.
How is factitious disorder treated?
The first goal of treatment is to change the person’s behaviour
and reduce their misuse of medical resources. In the case of
factitious disorder imposed on another, the main goal is to
ensure the safety and protection of any real or potential victims.
Once the first goal is met, treatment aims to resolve any
underlying psychological issues that may be causing the
behaviour.
The primary treatment for factitious disorder is psychotherapy.
Treatment likely will focus on changing the thinking and
behaviour of the individual with the disorder (cognitive-
behavioral therapy). Family therapy also may help in teaching
family members not to reward or reinforce the behaviour of the
person with the disorder.
There are no medications to actually treat factitious disorder.
Medication may be used, however, to treat any related disorder,
such as depression or anxiety.
THANKYOU