PSYC 235 Lecture Notes - Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Somatic Symptom Disorder, Somatization Disorder
7 Aug 2012
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Document Summary
Overly preoccupied with their heads or body appearance. No identifiable medical condition causing the physical complaints: this is why psychologists find it hard to diagnose. People might be feeling ill, but maybe it"s underlying issue of getting attention. If your bleeding, you would get higher priority at a hospital. Thinking a headache is indicative of a brain tumor. Assuming a minor chest pain is a heart attack. Thinking that a minor sore is a sign of hiv/aids. Trigger (information, event, image, such as watching grey"s anatomy, you start to worry that you have similar medical problems as a fictional character, start panicking or bring on hyperattention) Increased focus on body, physiological arousal, and checking behaviour and reassurance seeking. Preoccupation with perceived alternation/abnormality of bodily sensation/states. Misinterpretation of body sensations and/or signs as indicating severe illness. Precipitating events physical sensation cognitive evaluation cognitive appraisal. Heighten levels of anxiety runs in family.
