Information on Somotoform disorders

1. Somatoform

2. Symptoms
Conversion Disorder
● Weakness or paralysis.
● Loss of balance or difficulty walking.
● Tremors or seizures.
● Vision problems.
● Hearing problems
● Difficulty speaking or inability to speak.
● Difficulty swallowing.
Hypochondria
● Being preoccupied with having or getting a
serious disease or health condition
● Having so much distress about possible illnesses
that it's hard for you to function
● Repeatedly checking your body for signs of illness
or disease
● Frequently making medical appointments for
reassurance — or avoiding medical care for fear
of being diagnosed with a serious illness
● Avoiding people, places or activities for fear of
health risks
Somatoform Disorder, Soma meaning
body, is when the psychological
problems start appearing in the form of
bodily symptoms.

3. Effects on behavior and Commonality
A person with a Somatoform disorder will find themselves experiencing physical
and emotional distress.
Hypochondria
● Repeatedly checking your body
for signs of illness and
disease.
It can occur in children, adolescents, and adults and it
usually begins at the age of 30. People assigned female at
birth are 10 times more likely to develop then people
assigned male at birth.
Conversion
● Severe problems that prevent
them from working and doing
enjoyable activities.

4. The somatic signs of somatoform
disorders are factual. They include
psychological origins as a
replacement for corporal causes. The
symptoms frequently resemble
symptoms of severe medical
disorders. Whereas emotional
influences cause psychosomatic
illness.
Ricky Bobby

5. Heritability
You can get Somatoform disorder either environmentally or biologically. While genetics may play
a role in the development of these disorders, environmental factors may play an even bigger role.
● Recent significant stress or emotional or physical trauma.
● Having a mental health condition, such as a mood or anxiety
disorder, dissociative disorder or certain personality
disorders.
● Having a family member with a neurological condition or
symptoms.
● Having a history of physical or sexual abuse or neglect in
childhood.

6. Case Study
Mia is a 15 year old white female. She had flu like symptoms and 2 weeks later, started throwing up
blood. She went to ER and was diagnosed with possible appendicitis and was sent home the next day.
However, she still felt unwell and admitted herself into a hospital for a few weeks. While admitted, she
received extensive workup including MRI, CT scan, gastrointestinal imaging, and a spinal tap, and all the
results came back normal. Mia was discharged home with an unknown diagnosis and started on
symptomatic medical management to help relieve some of the symptoms. Soon after she was
discharged from the hospital, her legs started getting weak, and it was discussed that she may be having
some neurological disorders and would need to be evaluated further. Presenting with symptoms of
throwing up, unable to keep food down, leg numbness, and a constant migraine, Mia was readmitted at
the hospital for another two weeks where even more extensive workup was done again, including CT and
MRI scans of the brain. All results came back normal, and she was sent home without a true diagnosis
and was treated for depression and anxiety. And then later on referred to a Neurologist.The neurologist
uncovered that from the age of six to 12 years, Mia experienced two active addicted parents, and she
received physical and mental abuse from her father. During that time, she was required to become the
head of the household to ensure bills were being paid and that her parents were being taken care of. At
the age of 12, her mom received de-addiction treatment for three to four months and has been clean and
sober for the past five years. Between the ages of 12 and 13, her parents got divorced, and she moved
with her mom.

7. Diagnoses based on the DSM-5

8. Treatments
Psychodynamic: Psychodynamic theory suggests that somatic symptoms present as a
response against unconscious emotional issues. According to psychodynamic theorists, provides
protection from the anxiety or emotional symptoms and/or conflicts
Cognitive: Believe that somatic disorders are a result of negative beliefs or exaggerated fears of
physiological sensations. Generally more sensitive, This sensitivity, combined with their
maladaptive thought patterns, may lead individuals to overanalyze and interpret their physiological
symptoms in a negative light.
Behavioral: behaviorists propose that somatic disorders are developed and maintained by
reinforcers. More specifically, individuals experiencing significant somatic symptoms are often
rewarded by gaining attention from other people
Biological: Notably, compared with controls, conversion-disorder subjects showed increased
dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activity, decreased hippocampus activity, enhanced connectivity
between the amygdala and the supplementary motor area, and increased supplementary motor
area and temporo-parietal activity.

9. Most effective Treatments
- Antidepressant medication can help reduce symptoms associated with depression and
pain that often occur with somatic symptom disorder.
- Psychotherapy has proven most effective, AKA Cognitive based therapy (CBT)
- Examine and adapt your beliefs and expectations about health and physical symptoms
● Learn how to reduce stress
● Learn how to cope with physical symptoms
● Reduce preoccupation with symptoms
● Reduce avoidance of situations and activities due to uncomfortable physical
sensations
● Improve daily functioning at home, at work, in relationships and in social situations
● Address depression and other mental health disorders

10. More Ricky Bobby