PSYC 235 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Somatization Disorder, Panic Disorder, Perspiration
15 Nov 2017
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Document Summary
Soma (meaning body: overly preoccupied with health or body appearance, no identi able medical condition causing the physical complaints. Persons show la belle indifference: they aren"t rattled by this happening to themselves. Retain most normal functions but without awareness of this ability. Often unaware that they had a traumatic experience that is causing this. People have trouble coping with what they went through so they turn that anxiety towards a physical thing > this isn"t known: facts & stats. Seen primarily in females with onset typically in adolescence. More prevalence in less educated, low ses groups. Not uncommon in some cultural and/or religious groups: causes. Emphasis on role of trauma, conversion, and primary/secondary gain: boy punished for masturbating so loses control over right hand, secondary gain: receiving sympathy/support when symptoms start that reinforce the behaviour. Detachment from trauma and negative reinforcement seem critical: treatment. Reduce supportive consequences of talk about physical symptoms.
