scholarly journals Socio-demographic Characteristics and Psychosocial Stressors in the Children and Adolescents with Somatoform Disorders

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-46
Author(s):  
Rekha K. Jalan ◽  
Jyoti Adhikari ◽  
Mohan Belbase
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Somatoform Disorders ◽  
Medical Condition ◽  
Conversion Disorder ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Somatoform Disorder ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Psychosocial Stressors ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Academic Problems

Introduction: Somatoform disorders are characterized by physical symptoms that suggest a medical condition, and which are not fully explainable by general medical condition, or by the direct effects of a substance, or by another mental disorder. Objectives: to study the socio-demographic characteristics and psychosocial stressors in children and adolescents with somatoform disorders. Methods: From 1st January, 2018 to 30th  June 2018, Children and adolescents from 3 to 18 years of age with unexplained physical st thsymptoms were evaluated using DSM – IV criteria. Detailed evaluation followed for those meeting inclusion criteria. Results: Among 65 patients (18, 27.69% boys and 47, 72.31% girls) meeting inclusion criteria, conversion disorder was the most common (37, 56.92%), followed by undifferentiated somatoform disorder (15, 23.08%). Girls were significantly more represented among conversion disorder patients compared to other groups of somatoform disorders (68.08% vs. 27.78%, X2 =8.63, p<0.01) Stressors 2 were identified in 95% and acute precipitating stressors were present in 75% patients. Both the boys and girls had significantly higher rates of academic problems. Boys found to have social and environmental problems while girls had problems in primary support group. Conclusion: Somatoform disorder, particularly conversion disorder is more common and it is found more in girls. Academic problems, poor interpersonal relations and conflict in the family are the important psychosocial stressors.

scholarly journals Somatization: A Riddle Wrapped Up in an Enigma

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Somatoform Disorders ◽  
Medical Condition ◽  
Somatic Symptoms ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Somatoform Disorder ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
General Medical Condition ◽  
Detailed Evaluation ◽  
Psychiatric Conditions

A propensity to experience psychological distress and their expression in the form of somatic symptoms and to seek medical help for them is called Somatization. It is basically an inception of some psychiatric conditions like Affective Disorders (anxiety and depression) and Somatoform Disorders. A Somatoform Disorder is a category of mental disorder in which physical symptoms that suggest physical condition or injury cannot be explained fully by a general medical condition. This possibility must always be considered when patient has recurring somatic complaints for at least six months. Depression and Somatic Symptoms Disorder can easily be recognized when they present separately or in association with each other. But the main hurdle is to develop a holistic approach and strategy to not be misguided by the intimidating nature of presenting physical symptoms. For that detailed evaluation should be carried out and every single possibility along with somatization should be kept under consideration, which would enable to recognize and treat the illness earlier and save considerable amount of time and resources as well.

scholarly journals Somatoform Disorders

Psychology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Julian Looper ◽  
Laurence J. Kirmayer
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Somatoform Disorders ◽  
Medical Condition ◽  
Diagnostic Category ◽  
Medically Unexplained Symptoms ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Somatoform Disorder ◽  
Somatization Disorder ◽  
Diagnostic Challenge

Around the world, physical symptoms are the most common manifestation of psychological distress. This seeming contradiction presents a diagnostic challenge for health care professionals who are consulted to provide treatment and illness management. In many situations, it is difficult to clearly identify the psychological cause of physical symptoms, and, at times, it is equally difficult to exclude the possibility of an underlying biomedical process. This clinical challenge has led to the construction of the diagnostic category of somatoform disorders, a group of psychiatric disorders characterized by the presence of physical symptoms causing significant distress or functional impairment that cannot be fully explained by a general medical condition, substance use, or any other mental disorder. This category of disorders was established based on clinical utility and the need to exclude medical causes in health care settings rather than on a theoretical model of psychopathology or shared etiology. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR, American Psychiatric Association 2000, cited under Classification), the somatoform disorders include somatization disorder, hypochondriasis, body dysmorphic disorder, conversion disorder, pain disorder, undifferentiated somatoform disorder, and somatoform disorder not otherwise specified. Some authors prefer other terminology, including use of the terms medically unexplained symptoms, emphasizing the uncertainty about diagnosis, or functional somatic syndromes, suggesting that symptoms are due to disturbances in the function of psychophysiological systems rather than structural or anatomical pathology.

Psychosomatic Findings in Musician Patients at a Department of Hand Surgery

2001 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 144-151
Author(s):  
Claudia Spahn ◽  
Nikolaus Ell ◽  
Karin Seidenglanz
Keyword(s):  
Psychosocial Factors ◽  
Somatoform Disorders ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Somatic Symptoms ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
Hand Surgery ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Somatoform Disorder ◽  
Minor Role ◽  
Depression And Anxiety

In the present study, the degree and frequency of symptoms of depression and anxiety as well as signs of somatoform disorders were ascertained in former musician patients of a department of hand surgery by means of standardized psychometric instruments. It was also the goal of the study to find out to what extent musicians seeking somatically oriented therapy ascribe significance to psychosocial factors regarding the etiology and the course of their ailments, and to what extent they feel psychologically stressed by their somatic symptoms. Sixty-nine musicians were evaluated. The results of the study showed a low frequency of significant ratings for depression and anxiety compared with clinical and nonclinical populations of nonmusicians, whereas there was a clear tendency toward somatization in the sample investigated. A fourth of the musicians had ratings compatible with those of psychosomatic patients, and can be classified as an at-risk group for a somatoform disorder. Three fourths of the musicians evinced a somatically oriented subjective ailment model. This means that, from their point of view, psychosocial factors play but a minor role in the etiology and the course of somatic symptoms. Three fourths of the musicians, however, stated in retrospective evaluation that they had felt psychologically stressed by their physical symptoms. All in all, the results suggest that psychosomatic aspects play a decisive role in somatic problems of musicians, and that it would seem particularly important for hand surgeons to take note of psychosocial aspects in the etiology and the course of their symptoms.

Somatic symptom and related disorders

2020 ◽  
pp. 6517-6520
Author(s):  
Michael Sharpe
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Symptom ◽  
Multidisciplinary Care ◽  
Conversion Disorder ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Somatoform Disorder ◽  
Somatization Disorder ◽  
Simple Explanation ◽  
Somatic Symptom Disorder ◽  
Liaison Psychiatry ◽  
Substantial Risk

Somatic symptom disorder is a diagnosis for patients who have marked concern about physical symptoms that appears to be disproportionate to the severity of any associated disease. In conversion disorder the patient’s symptom is loss of a function, such as movement of a limb. This does not mean that the symptoms are not real. Somatic symptom disorder incorporates the older diagnoses of somatoform disorder, somatization disorder, Briquet’s syndrome, and hypochondriasis. Somatic symptom disorder of mild severity is common in medical clinics; it usually responds to simple explanation and reassurance. More severe somatic symptom disorder with multiple symptoms and severe disability is less common, but important to diagnose because these patients are at substantial risk of iatrogenic harm from excessive investigation and speculative medical or surgical treatment. Severe somatic symptom disorder usually requires multidisciplinary care, including liaison psychiatry.

Conversion disorder in adolescents: A review and case report

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S349-S350
Author(s):  
A. De Cos Milas ◽  
M. Garcia Moreno ◽  
V. Gómez Macías ◽  
N.E. Chinchurreta de Lora ◽  
N. Rodríguez Criado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Conversion Disorder ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Favourable Outcome ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health Service ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
Heath Care ◽  
Clinical Illustration

IntroductionConversion disorder (CD) is an uncommon but highly disabling condition. Affected children and adolescents are often severely impaired and at risk of serious long-term physical and psychosocial complications. Despite the enormous personal suffering and health resource implications of CD, little research has been done.ObjectivesTo update our knowledge about CD in adolescents, with a comprehensive review of the literature with special focus in prevalence, psychosocial factors, diagnosis, treatment and outcome.AimsTo present the most relevant data of our review with a clinical illustration that provides a practical vision of this disorder.MethodsA systematic literature review was performed in MEDLINE, with particular interest in papers published in the last 10 years. Clinical illustration is provided by a case selected from an outpatient child and adolescent mental health service.ResultsFew reliable prevalence data are available; the range goes from 0.2 in a German study to 31% in non-western clinical settings. Diagnosis is based on a constellation of features and treatment should involve several heath care professionals. CD has a favourable outcome in children and adolescents. However, mood and/or anxiety disorders are encountered at a considerable rate even after recovery from conversion symptoms. Long clinical follow-up seems appropriate.ConclusionsThe expression of emotional distress in the form of physical complaints is common in children. Nevertheless, the most severe presentation of physical symptoms is not a common topic in literature. More research should be done to improve our understanding of this disabling disorder.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals “Mirror, Mirror…” Whose Explanation is the Fairest? Evolving Notions of Somatization and Idiopathic Physical Symptoms

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 187-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles C. Engel
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Symptomatic Patient ◽  
Conversion Disorder ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Somatoform Disorder ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Somatization Disorder ◽  
Gulf War Syndrome ◽  
Negative State

Somatization disorder, multiple chemical sensitivities, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, Gulf War syndrome, neurasthenia, irritable bowel syndrome, conversion disorder…idiopathies one and all. These syndromes and the many others like them have perhaps one overriding commonality: enormous unexplained heterogeneity. Patients and clinicians gaze into the suffering and impact of these symptoms and see as many potential causes as there are symptom combinations.Whose explanation is best? When I am speaking with psychiatrists, the notion of somatoform symptoms goes largely unchallenged. When I am with rheumatologists, however, fibromyalgia is anything but a psychiatric problem and certainly not a somatoform disorder. Among my toxicologist colleagues, it is readily accepted that low-tevel toxic exposures could account for many idiopathic “sensitivities.”But what of the high rate of depression and anxiety disorders we see in these patients?” I sometimes unwisely retort.“Well, it could be a co-factor or an interaction,” is a common response.Unshaken, I step further into the abyss: “How, then, do you explain the high rate of adverse childhood experiences among people with idiopathic symptom syndromes?”The response is swift. “You cannot rule out biased recall. We cannot expect people to remember these things accurately in such a negative state of mind.”And so it goes. After several of these kinds of conversations, I have finally concluded there is no point in arguing.The debate is largely irreconcilable, a debate that strikingly parallels the conflicts many primary care physicians experience with symptomatic patients. “How is your personal life?” the doctor may ask a symptomatic patient, suspecting a psychosocial explanation.

Clinical, Socio-Demographic Profile and Stressors in Patients with Conversion/Dissociative Disorders: An Exploratory Study from Southern India

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abu Bashar
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Middle Class ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Conversion Disorder ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Psychosocial Stressors ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Conversion Disorders ◽  
Children And Young Adults

Background Patients present with ‘conversion disorder’ as a response to the underlying stressful conditions. It is clinically important to evaluate the presence, type, and temporal relation of the stressors resulting in conversion. Further knowing the Socio-demographic and psychological profile of the conversion patient helps in their better management. Aim To study the clinical features and presentations, Socio-demographic characteristics, and underlying psychosocial stressors associated with conversion disorder.Material & Methods Fifty patients admitted to the department of psychiatry, NRI Medical College and Hospital, Vishakhapatnam, India from 1st January 2013 to 31st December, 2014 who fulfilled the inclusion criteria of the study were evaluated for socio-demographic characteristics, clinical presentations, and stressors on a semi-structured proforma.Results Majority of the patients with conversion symptoms were children and young adults (74.0%), females (62.0%), students (46.0%), currently married (54.0%) and those living in nuclear families (78.0%) and having rural background (62.0%). Socioeconomic status wise, majority (66.0%) of the patients belonged to middle class. Majority of the patients (92.0%) had a recognizable precipitating factor, of which family-related/marital (36.0%) and education/school-related (18.0%) problems accounted for the major types. Purely motor symptoms were the predominant presentation (84.0%) with unresponsiveness /syncopal attack and pseudo seizure being the commonest.Conclusion Conversion disorders are commonly seen in females, children and young adults, students and in those people belonging to middle class in socioeconomic status and rural areas. Underlying psychosocial stressors could be identifiable in majority of the cases of conversion disorder. 

Challenges in the Diagnostic Conceptualization of CRPS-1 (Formerly Conceptualized as RSD)

2006 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-3, 9-12
Author(s):  
Robert J. Barth ◽  
Tom W. Bohr
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome ◽  
Somatoform Disorders ◽  
International Association ◽  
Pain Syndrome ◽  
Somatoform Disorder ◽  
Syndrome Type ◽  
Previous Issue

Abstract From the previous issue, this article continues a discussion of the potentially confusing aspects of the diagnostic formulation for complex regional pain syndrome type 1 (CRPS-1) proposed by the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP), the relevance of these issues for a proposed future protocol, and recommendations for clinical practice. IASP is working to resolve the contradictions in its approach to CRPS-1 diagnosis, but it continues to include the following criterion: “[c]ontinuing pain, which is disproportionate to any inciting event.” This language only perpetuates existing issues with current definitions, specifically the overlap between the IASP criteria for CRPS-1 and somatoform disorders, overlap with the guidelines for malingering, and self-contradiction with respect to the suggestion of injury-relatedness. The authors propose to overcome the last of these by revising the criterion: “[c]omplaints of pain in the absence of any identifiable injury that could credibly account for the complaints.” Similarly, the overlap with somatoform disorders could be reworded: “The possibility of a somatoform disorder has been thoroughly assessed, with the results of that assessment failing to produce any consistencies with a somatoform scenario.” The overlap with malingering could be addressed in this manner: “The possibility of malingering has been thoroughly assessed, with the results of that assessment failing to produce any consistencies with a malingering scenario.” The article concludes with six recommendations, and a sidebar discusses rating impairment for CRPS-1 (with explicit instructions not to use the pain chapter for this purpose).

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