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Home : Other Subjects : Psychology Study Guides : 101 : Psychological Disorders : Somatoform Disorders
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Somatoform Disorders
Somatoform disorders are characterized by real physical symptoms
that cannot be fully explained by a medical condition, the effects of a drug, or
another mental disorder. People with somatoform disorders do not fake symptoms or
produce symptoms intentionally.
Three common somatoform disorders are somatization disorder, conversion
disorder, and hypochondriasis.
Somatization Disorder
Somatization disorder was formerly called
hysteria or Briquet’s syndrome. People
with somatization disorder experience a wide variety of physical symptoms,
such as pain and gastrointestinal, sexual, and pseudoneurological problems.
The disorder usually affects women, begins before age thirty, and continues
for many years.
Conversion Disorder
Conversion disorder is characterized by symptoms that affect
voluntary motor functioning or sensory functioning. These symptoms cannot be
explained medically. A conflict or other stressor precedes the onset or
exacerbation of these symptoms, which implies a relationship between the
symptoms and psychological factors.
Hypochondriasis
People with hypochondriasis are preoccupied with fears that
they have a serious disease. They base these fears on misinterpretations of
physical symptoms. People with this disorder continue to worry about having a
serious medical problem even after they receive reassurances to the contrary.
People with hypochondriasis, however, are not delusional—they can acknowledge
that their worries might be excessive.
Etiology of Somatoform Disorders
Personality, cognitive factors, and learning appear to be involved in the
etiology of somatoform disorders.
Personality Factors
Some researchers have suggested that people with histrionic
personality traits are more likely to develop somatoform disorders.
Histrionic people enjoy being the center of attention. They
tend to be self-focused, excitable, highly open to suggestion, very
emotional, and dramatic.
Cognitive Factors
Researchers have proposed that several cognitive factors contribute to
somatoform disorders:
- People with these disorders may pay too much attention to bodily sensations.
- They may make catastrophic conclusions when they experience minor symptoms.
- They may have distorted ideas about good health and expect healthy people to be free of any symptoms or discomfort.
Learning
People with somatoform disorders may learn to adopt a sick role
because they are reinforced for being sick. Rewards that help to maintain
sickness include attention and sympathy from others and avoidance of work
and family challenges.
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