Transcript Somatoform and Dissociative Disorders

Presented by: UTA Melissa Richeson
Somatoform Disorders
Disorders that
involve some
physical, bodily
complaint
Psychological
disorders
No known
medical or
biological cause
for the symptoms.
Hypochondriasis
Somatization disorder
Conversion Disorder
A person diagnosed with hypochondriasis is
preoccupied with the fear of a serious disease
Fear of
a nonexistent disease
Must
Found
last at least 6 months
equally in men and women
Person has a way to explain otherwise
unexplainable anxiety
• “If you had a brain tumor like me, you’d feel fearful too.”
Illness may be used to excuse the individual from
activities that could be producing anxiety in them
• “How can I go to class or focus on studying when I have
cancer?”
Attention seeking or sympathy
• “Since there’s only so much time that I have left, don’t you feel
sorry for me?”
A person with somatization disorder is preoccupied with
nonexistent symptoms
 The patient
may have several recurring, and long-
lasting complaints about bodily symptoms
Higher prevalence rates
in South America and
Puerto Rico
Burning pains in hands
more common in Asia
and Africa
Cultural
Differences
More frequent in women
especially Hispanic and
African American
Typical onset early
adulthood
Loss or altering of physical function that suggests
that there is some physical problem
Paralysis
Glove
– often times of just the hand
anesthesia
Blindness
Deafness
This was also known as Freud’s Hysteria
 Diagnosed
Sex
much more often in Freud’s time
bias
Unexplainable
However, it is more common in rural areas or in
underdeveloped countries and is often considered
normal in different cultures.
la belle indifference
distinctive symptom of
Conversion Disorder
seemingly inappropriate lack of
concern over one’s condition
very accepting of their infirmity
Sudden disruption in the continuity of:
Consciousness
Memory
Identity
To dissociate means to become separate or escape
Dissociative amnesia
 Inability
to recall important personal information
 Beyond
 Often
simple forgetfulness
times it involves forgetting some traumatic
event, Not due to physical trauma
Memory deficits in explicit but not implicit memory
Multiple personality disorder
 Not schizophrenia!
Two or more distinct and fully developed personalities
(alters)
 Each with
unique behaviors, memories, and
relationships
 Very
rare, most recorded cases are restricted to North
America
 Usually
this disorder occurs in patients working closely
with a therapist
Typical onset in childhood
– Rarely diagnosed until adulthood
More severe than other dissociative disorders
– Recovery may be less complete
More common in women than men
Often comorbid with:
PTSD, major depression, borderline personality
disorder, substance abuse, phobias
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