Psychology 2030A/B Chapter 5: Psychology 2030A - Chapter 5 - Textbook Notes

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 2030A/B
• Professor: David Vollick

Document Summary

Excessive thoughts, feelings + behaviours related to somatic symptoms. Those with it have real but unexplained physical symptoms. Briquet"s syndrome or hysteria: developed by french physician pierre briquet, symptoms somatic complaints, depression, onset = stressful events, this term no longer used because of negative connotations. Somatic symptom disorder: presence of 1+ somatic symptoms + abnormal thoughts/feelings/behaviours regarding symptoms: thoughts/feelings/behaviours must be excessive or disproportionate to symptoms. No specific physical symptoms: common complaints pain + gastrointestinal distress, common pains back, chest, headaches, pseudoseizures: sudden changes in behaviour that mimic epileptic seizures but have no organic basis. Conversion disorder: symptoms of altered motor or sensory dysfunction: can be dramatic e. g. sudden paralysis or blindness, symptoms not intentionally produced, can"t be explained by medical condition. Careful evaluation necessary before diagnosis 10-15% of those diagnosed with conversion disorder turn out to have actual medical condition. Symptoms: most common group motor symptoms or deficits. Most frequent muscle weakness, particularly in leg: unusual globus.