Somatic Symptoms

Disorder
Somatization is
defined as the
transference of
mental
experiences and
states into bodily
symptoms.
Somatoform
disorders can be
characterized as
the presence of
physical
symptoms that
suggest a medical
condition without
a demonstrable
organic basis to
account fully for
them. It is used
to convey the
connection
between the mind
(psyche) and the
body (soma) in
states of health
and illness. The
mind can cause
the body to create
physical
symptoms or to
worsen physical

Disorder
Dynamics
Somatization disorder is
characterized by multiple physical
symptoms. It begins by 30 years of
age, extends over several years,
and includes a combination of pain
and gastrointestinal, sexual, and
pseudoneurologic symptoms.
Conversion disorder involves
unexplained, usually sudden
deficits in sensory or motor
function (e.g., blindness, paralysis).
These deficits suggest a neurologic
disorder but are associated with
psychologic factors. An attitude of
la belle indifference, a seeming lack
of concern
Pain disorder has the primary
physical symptom of pain, which is
unrelieved by analgesics
Hypochondriasis is preoccupation
with the fear that one has a serious
disease (disease conviction) or will
get a serious disease (disease
phobia). It is thought that clients
with this disorder misinterpret
bodily sensations or functions.
Body dysmorphic disorder is
preoccupation with an imagined or
exaggerated defect in physical
appearance such as thinking ones

Needs
Interventions
The worsening of physical
Health teaching
symptoms helps them to meet
Establish a daily routine.
psychological needs for
Promote adequate nutrition
security, attention, and
and sleep.
affection through primary and
Expression of emotional
secondary gain. Primary gains
feelings
are the direct external benefits
Recognize relationship
that being sick provides, such
between stress/coping and
as relief of anxiety, conflict, or
physical symptoms.
distress. Secondary gains are

Keep a journal.
the internal or personal
Limit time spent on
benefits received from others
physical complaints.
because one is sick, such as
Limit primary and
attention from family
secondary gains.
members and comfort
measures
Coping strategies
Since treatment focuses on
Emotion-focused coping
managing symptoms and
strategies such as
improving quality of life, they
relaxation techniques,
need a trusting relationship
deep breathing, guided
with their health care provider.
imagery, and distraction
The health care provider must
Problem-focused coping
show empathy and sensitivity
strategies such as
to the clients physical
problem- solving strategies
complaints. A trusting
and role-playing
relationship with the health
Encourage family to
care provider helps to ensure
provide attention and
that clients stay with and
encouragement when
receive care from one provider
client has fewer
instead of doctor shopping.
complaints.

illnesses.

nose is too large or teeth are

crooked and unattractive.

Encourage family to
decrease special attention
when client is in sick
role.