Transcript DSM-IV
Somatoform &
Factitious Disorders
Factitious Disorder
• Physical or psychological Sx that are
intentionally feigned for the purpose of
fulfilling an intrapsychic need to adopt a
sick role.
• Presents history very dramatically with
vague & inconsistent details
• When confronted with evidence of
inconsistencies, will deny allegations and
often avoid further evaluation
• These individuals have frequently had
numerous surgeries or other invasive
medical procedures.
Factitious Disorder
Primarily physical
Primarily psychological
Malingering
Somatoform Disorders
Presentation of physical symptoms that
suggest a physical disorder
– Symptoms not fully explained by:
The medical condition
Substance use
Another mental disorder
Must judge the onset, severity, and duration
of symptoms for proper diagnosis
Somatoform Disorders
Somatization disorder
Conversion disorder
Hypochondriasis
Body dysmorphic disorder
Pain disorder
Two other residual categories
Somatization Disorder
History of many physical complaints beginning
before 30. Very chronic course and result in tx
being sought or significant role impairment.
During a episode, the following must occur
– 4 pain sx
– 2 GI sx
– one sexual sx
– and 1 psuedoneurological sx
Somatization continued
Not due to GMC or
When related to GMC, the resulting social
or occupational impairment are ins excess
of what would be expected from physical
exam, history, or labs
Somatization D/OEpidemiology
Rare in men; much more common in
psychiatric patients
More among low SES groups and EMs
20% of 1st degree female relatives of these
pts. will have a somatization d/o.
Differentials
First Aid for Somatizers
Recent study found that a brief psychiatric
consultation followed by a letter to the doctor
greatly reduced cost and somaticizing tendencies.
Schedule brief appointments and Phx. Exams
every 4 to 6 weeks; only at set times and NOT on
demand; avoid lab tests, surgery and
hospitalization unless absolutely necessary and
avoid suggesting that the problems are all in
his/her mind
Charges fell 25 to 33% as did subjective pain
Smith, Rost & Kashner (1995). Archives of General Psychiatry, 52.
Case Example
44 year-old African American pt. With
reported history of recent TBI in which he
was kicked in the back of the head and
everything went black.
NP Testing: MMSE=13, poor memory and
exec. functioning. Language intact
Presentation and follow-up
Conversion Disorder
Usually a single motor or neurological
symptom with symbolic meaning that
affects voluntary motor or sensory function.
Frequently primary (protects) or secondary
gain (gratifies).
Sudden onset of symptoms (usually a
temporal relationship)
Conversion D/O
Etiology & Prevalence
Equal in men and women
More common in lower SES groups and in
subcultures that consider these symptoms as
being expectable
Often medical impossibility that confirms
their conceptualization of CNS function
Conversion D/O Treatment
Important to rule out GMC such as
Multiple Sclerosis and Lupus
Remove from situation, reinforce alternative
coping strategies and occasionally hypnosis
Pain Disorder-Presentation
Symptoms are usually initiated by an acute
stressor, erupt suddenly, intensify over the
next several days or weeks and subside
when the acute stressor is gone.
Patients frequently have secondary gain
(“doctor shop”) and have symptoms that
worsen under stress.
Pain D/O Epidemiology
& Prevalence
Initially afflict women more, but sex
differences fall out after major depression is
eliminated.
More common in relative with pain
problems and patients with physically
demanding jobs.
Pain D/O Treatment
Acute management- giving insufficient
narcotics leads to moderate and severe
distress in 3/4 of the patients. Drs. fear
addiction. Don’t give narcotics PRN!!
Chronic management- Cognitive behavioral
therapy, pharmacotherapy and “team”
tx.
Hypochondriac
Overwhelming, persistent preoccupation
with physical sxs. based on unrealistically
ominous interpretation of physical signs or
sx
Ex. Felix Unger
Affects both sexes equally; begins 20-30
La belle indifference
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Focus on obsession with perceived fault in
physical appearance or imagined image
Greater in women (3:1)
Mood disorders usually come AFTER not
before the sx of BDD
Treatment
– Behavior therapy and serotonergic
antidepressants (OCD variant?)