Lauren has gone to the emergency department seventeen times this year with vague symptoms of pain, which started last spring. Sh
e has seen numerous specialists and had lab work and imaging done many times. Her family doctor suspects Lauren may have a(n) ___________ disorder, for which there are no demonstrable physiologic causes
Lauren has gone to the emergency department seventeen times this year with vague symptoms of pain, which started last spring. She has seen numerous specialists and had lab work and imaging done many times. Her family doctor suspects, Lauren may have a Somatoformdisorder, for which there are no demonstrable physiologic causes.
<h3>What is Somatoform Disorder?</h3>
Somatoform disorder, sometimes referred to as somatic symptom disorder (SSD) or psychosomatic disorder.
A person with Somatoform disorder would exhibit physical symptoms in reaction to psychological discomfort.
Somatoform disorders come in a variety of forms, including dissociative (conversion) disorder and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
<h3>What are the symptoms of somatic symptom disorder?</h3>
persistent headaches, joint pain, and stomach aches, etc.
Inability to focus, lightheadedness, and moodiness
persistent anxiety over deteriorating physical health
beginning of a severe flu-like condition or glandular fever
complete absence of movement or sensation in the body
motor function loss or impairment as well as false seizures (seizures that do not have the typical features of an epileptic fit and are not accompanied by an abnormal EEG)
After a stressful occurrence, symptoms typically appear and linger for a few weeks or months.
Usually occurs more frequently in women than in men.
Typically, symptoms begin in early adolescence or childhood.
<h3>What are co-existing disorders of SSD?</h3>
Somatic symptom disorder could include the presence of co-existing disorders such as:
Anxiety disorders
Separation anxiety
School phobia
Eating disorders
Depression
Selective mutism
<h3>What are the Types of Somatoform Disorder?</h3>
Persistent somatoform pain disorder
The main complaint is constant, excruciating pain that is disturbing.
A physiological mechanism or a physical ailment cannot fully explain it.
It happens in conjunction with emotional strife or psychosocial issues.
Usually, there is a significant increase in support and attention, whether it is personal or medical.
Dissociative/conversion disorder
The normal integration between prior memories, identity awareness, present sensations, and control of body movements is lost partially or entirely.
No known physical or neurological disorders are found during a medical evaluation.
There is evidence of a direct correlation between difficulties and stressful life events over time.
Always be aware of the potential for major physical or psychiatric issues to develop later.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (neurasthenia)
increasing feelings of exhaustion following mental effort that are persistent and uncomfortable
symptoms of physical weakness and weariness that are distressingly persistent and only occur after light exertion
a minimum of two muscle aches and pains, lightheadedness, tension headaches, insomnia, difficulty unwinding, agitation, and dyspepsia
The presence of autonomic or depressivesymptoms does not meet the requirements for any of the more specific illnesses since they are not persistent enough or severe enough.
This condition manifests in a variety of ways depending on culture.
