Historical Link Between Somatoform and Dissociative Disorders: An Overview, Slides of Abnormal Psychology

Download Historical Link Between Somatoform and Dissociative Disorders: An Overview and more Slides Abnormal Psychology in PDF only on Docsity! Somatoform Disorder Ch 7 Docsity.com Historical Commonality • Somatoform and dissociative disorders are very strongly historically linked and may share common features. • They used to be categorized under one general heading, “hysterical neurosis” . • The term “hysteria” (from the Greek “wandering uterus”) referred to physical symtoms without organic basis (somatoform disorder) or in dissociative experiences (alterations in consciousness, memory, or identity). • Kihlstrom’s theory (D&N, p. 189): Both disorders are disruptions in the normal controlling functions of consciousness. Docsity.com  Clinical Description  Ancient Roots  Physical Complaints  No Known Medical Cause  Severe Anxiety / Fear About Possibly Having a Serious Disease  Reassurance Doesn’t Help Docsity.com  Clinical Description  Essential Problem is Anxiety  Preoccupied With Bodily Symptoms  Misinterpretation of Symptoms  Strong Disease Conviction  Many Medical Visits and Tests Docsity.com Why not Classify Such Persons With an Illness Phobia? Docsity.com  Psychological Treatment  Modify Illness Perceptions  Evoke Bodily Sensations  Provide “Appropriate” Reassurance  More Research is Needed! Docsity.com  Clinical Description  Preoccupation With Appearance – Imagined Defect  “Imagined” Ugliness  Mirrors (Fixation or Avoidance)  Ideas of Reference  Suicidal Ideation and Tendencies Docsity.com  Common Locations of Defects  Hair  Nose  Skin  Eyes  Head / Face  Lips Docsity.com  Causes and Treatment  Little is Known  Co-Occurs With OCD – Intrusive Thoughts and Checking Compulsions About Appearance  Exposure + Response Prevention Docsity.com Conversion Disorder • Conversion Disorder involves sensory or motor symptoms – Not related to known physiology of the body • E.g. glove anesthesia – Conversion symptoms appear suddenly – Conversion symptoms are related to marked stress – The person experiencing conversion disorder is not distressed by sudden paralysis or blindness (“La Belle Indifference”) – Popularized by Freud Ch 7.2 Docsity.com  Facts and Statistics  Relatively Rare (< 1% prevalence)  Females > Males  Onset Around Adolescence Docsity.com  Clinical Description  Pain is Real  Pain May Have Organic Cause  Psychological Factors Maintain Pain  Can be Debilitating Docsity.com Etiology of Somatoform Disorders • Somatoform disorder reflects oversensitivity to physical sensations • Conversion disorder – Psychoanalytic view focuses on unconscious complexes and secondary gain – Behavioral view focuses on similarity to malingering – The incidence of conversion disorder has declined, suggesting a role for social factors Ch 7.4 Docsity.com Therapy for Conversion Disorders • Conversion disorder clients seek help from physicians and resent referrals to psychotherapists – Psychoanalytic therapy is not effective for conversion disorder – The cognitive-behavioral approach involves pointing out selective attention to physical sensations and discouraging the client from seeking medical assistance Ch 7.5 Docsity.com