Somatization
Definition:
Somatization disorder is along –term (chronic) condition in which a person has physical symptoms that involve more than one part of the body ,but no physical cause can be found.
The pain and other symptoms people with this disorder feel are real, and are not created or faked on purpose (malingering)
Causes:
The disorder usually begins before age 30 and occur more often in women than in men .the disorder is more common in people with IBS and chronic pain.
Symptoms:
Many Physical complaints that last for years . Most often the complaints involve chronic pain and problems with the digestive system , CNS , and reproductive system.
The symptoms often interfere with work , relationships, and lead to many visits to different health care providers.
Symptoms includes:
Abdominal pain
Back pain
Chest pain
Diarrhea
Difficulty swallowing
Headache
Nausea and sometimes vomiting
Pain during intercourse
Pain during urination
Pain during menstruation
Palpitations
Paralysis or muscle weakness
Vision changes
Exams and Tests:
Physical examination and diagnostic tests are perform to identify physical causes, no physical cause is found to explain the symptoms , somatization disorder may be diagnosed.
A psychological evaluation is performed to identify related disorders.
Treatment:
The goal of treatment is to help patients to control their symptoms.
Having supportive relationship with a health care provider is the most important part of treatment.
You should have only one primary care provider, to avoid having too many tests and procedures.
Schedule regular appointments to review the symptoms and how you are coping. The health care provider should explain any test results.
Psychotherapy can be helpful
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you deal with your pain.
If the condition associated with depression or anxiety antidepressants can help.
Conversion disorders
(dissociative & also called functional neurological symptoms disorders)
Definition:
Is a condition in which pt show psychological stress in physical ways(loss or disturbance of normal motor or sensory function which initially appears to have a neurological or others physical cause.
Clinical features:
May appears suddenly after stressful event or trauma. Sign& Symptoms that affect movement function may include:
Weakness or paralysis
Abnormal movement, such as tremors or difficulty walking
Loss of balance
Difficulty swallowing or lump in the throat
Seizures or convulsions
Sign& Symptoms that affect the senses may include:
Numbness or loss Of the touch sensation
Speech problems, such as inability to speak or slurred speech
Vision problems such as double vision or blindness
Hearing problems or deafness
Amnesia (memory loss)
Causes
The exact cause of conversion disorder is unknown
Nearly always triggered by a stressful event , and emotional conflict or another mental health disorder, such as depression.
Diagnosis
Usually be suspected due to the non-anatomical or clinically inconsistent nature of the signs
Risk factors
Recent significant stress or emotional trauma
Being female
Having a mental health condition, such as anxiety disorders , or certain personality disorders
Having a neurological disease that cause similar symptoms ,such as epilepsy
Having a family member with conversion disorders
Treatment:
Counseling( psychotherapy) , reassurance ,supportive, and family therapy
CBT
IPT
Prognosis
For acute symptoms, especially those with a clear precipitant, the prognosis is good, with expectation of complete resolution of symptoms (70-90%)
Poorer outcomes for longer-lasting and well-established symptoms
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Best wishes