Somatoform Disorders

SOMATOFORM DISORDERS

Somatoform Disorders is the presence of physical symptoms that suggest but are not fully explained by a medical condition but by the direct effects of substance or another mental disorder. Soamtization Disorder, Undifferentiated Somatoform Disorder, Pain Disorder, Hypochondriasis and Body Dysmorphic Didorder and all Somatoform Disorders.

Somatization Disorder is a history of many physical comlaints beginning before age 30 and occur over a period of several years and result in treatment. The complaints cannot be explained by a general medical condition or by use of a substance. There is a history of pain related to at least four different sites (head, abdomen, back, joints, extremities, chesr or rectum) or functions (menstration, sexual intercourse, urination); two gastrointestinal symptoms ( nausea, bloating, vomiting, diarrhea) one sexual symptom (sexual indifference, erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction, irregular periods, excessive menstrual bleeding) and a pseudoneurological symptom (impaired balance, localized weakness, difficulty swallowing, lump in throat, urinary retention, double vision, blindness, deafness seizures). After investigation each of these symptoms cannot be explained by a generall medical condition or direct effects of a substance.

Undifferentiated Somatoform Disorder is one or more physical complaint (chronic fatigue, loss of appetite, gastrointestinal symptoms) lasting for six months or longer. These symptoms cannot be full explained by a general medical condition or direct effects of a substance. The symptoms cause significant distress and discomfort in social and occupational settings.

Conversion Disorder affects voluntary motor and sensory function that suggest a neurological or other medical condition. These symptoms include impaired balance, localized weakness, difficulty swallowing, lump in throat, urinary retention, double vision, blindness, deafness, seizures and hallucinations.

Pain Disorder is pain that is the predominant focus and is severe enough to warrant clinical attention. The pain is not intentional or made up and causes significant distress in social and occupational settings.

Hypochondriasis is the fear of having or thinking that one has a serious disease based on misinterpreting one or more bodily signs or symptoms. The concerns persist even after the individual seeks appropreate medical evaluations and reassurance that the individual is healthy. The preoccupation can be with bodily functions (e.g. heart beat or sweating); minor physical abnormalities (e.g. small sore or occasional cough); or with vague ambiguous sensations (e.g. “tired heart” or “aching veins”). there may also be preoccupation with a single organ or specific disease.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder is a preoccupation with a defect in one’s physical appearance. Complaints commonly involve imagined or slight flaws of the face or body. An individual may avoid describing their “defects” in detail and may instead refer only to their general ugliness. Feelings of their self-conciousness about their “defect” may lead to avoidance of work, school or public situations.