1Listen to the audio lecture while viewing these slidesPsychology 311Abnormal Psychology1Disorders of Body Preoccupation2Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyOverview• Generally are body complaints that appear to be related to psychological makeup and stress• Have no specific medical diagnosis• Note: Just because there is no organic basis for the problem does not mean the person is not suffering3Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyMany Disorders• Somatoform Disorders•Pain Disorders• Somatization Disorders• Conversion Disorders• Hypochondriasis Disorders• Body Dysmorphic Disorders (BDD)• Factitious Disorders•Others4Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologySomatoform Disorders• Physicians are asked to treat a physical condition but no physical cause is found.5Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyPain•Acute pain • Up to 6 months duration• Chronic pain• Greater than 6 months duration• Can be difficult to assess• Generalized pain very difficult•Especially back pain6Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyPatient Coping Strategies• Ignore the pain• Distract person from the pain• Increase positive self-statements• Catastrophizing one’s pain• Hoping for relief• Praying for relief27Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyOther Self Strategies•Drugs•Alcohol •Drink wine to help dull the pain•I cannot sleep without my ___ glasses of Scotch• Marijuana• Oxycotin8Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyProblem•Is temporary• Causes other problems• Develop Tolerance9Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyOther Treatments•Medical•Surgery•Drugs•Same issues•What happens when you stop• Patients do not follow other directions•Stretching•Rest•Non use10Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyExercise• Helps to decrease inflammation associated with pain• Strengthens opposing muscles and ligaments• Takes pressure off pain pressure points• Strengthens muscle groups associated with pain • Reduces the pain• Sometimes does not work to decrease pain11Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyPsychological Treatments• Operant Models• Identify the triggers that cause the pain•Then reinforce alternative behaviors•Extinguish (ignore) pain associated behaviors• Cognitive/Behavioral Models• Identify learned responses• Educate the person in pain• Adjust attitudes toward pain• Alter the environment12Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyBiofeedback• Providing feedback about the area in pain can result in pain reduction• Use some monitoring device that provides some signal (sound).• When pain is reduced, the signal decreases• Patient tries to decrease the signal as much as they can• Result, get reductions in pain.313Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyEnvironment• Can provide many triggers about pain• Alter the environment, can reduce pain•Example• Altering the patient environment in a hospital• Developed a room where there were lots of plants, waterfall, soothing music• Result, patients reported less pain during their stay• Can be done at home as well14Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyConclusions• Many options• May need to try several options to fine ones that work• Sometimes, nothing works• If not trauma caused, may need to look at other psychological issues15Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologySomatization Disorders• Marked by multiple somatic complaints that reoccur• Are chronic16Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyBriquet’s Syndrome• Symptoms may Include• Headaches, fatigue, heart pains, vomiting, bowel problems, menstrual problems, sexual problems, fainting, allergies, others• Are mostly women• Person goes from Physician to Physician• May undergo unneeded surgeries• Take large quantities of medications• Issue: Person actually believes they are sick.17Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyOther Symptoms• Are self-centered• May experience anxiety or depression• May attempt suicide• Generally are preoccupied with their symptoms.18Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyConversion Disorders• Experience the loss of function for some body part•May include• Deafnesss, •Parlysis• Blindness• Difficulty walking• Stomach Pain and spasms419Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyAssociated Issues• Usually has a sudden onset and is associated with a stressor.• Allow you to escape from life challenges by incapacitation• Is a negative reinforcement paradigm20Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyHypochondriasis• Individuals believe they have a medical problem lasting for 6 months with no medical reassurance• Individuals have an obsessive concern with body organs•Fear disease• Often exaggerate symptoms• Monitor body symptoms closely21Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyTreatment of Hypochondriasis• Rapport• Education about symptoms and diseases• Carefully challenge22Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyBodily Dysmorphic Disorders (BDD)• Is an imagined defect or morbid concern about a minor unwanted physical feature.• Individuals experience marked distress•Treatment•Cognitive/Behavioral• Pinpoint dysfunction perceptions23Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyFactitious Disorders• It a total fabrication or exaggeration of a disorder • Individuals often have a history of uncontrollable lying• Individuals seek attention any way they can get it.•Example• Munchausen Syndrome24Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologySymptoms• Simulate disease for getting medical attention.• May travel far to a new hospital• Have incredible tales of medical history• May fake symptoms• Blood in urine• May self inflict real injuries525Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyFactitious Disorder by Proxy• Here a parent self inflicts injury to their child so they can get attention.• May occur with pets as well.26Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyMalingering• Here seek hospitalization for a reason• Monitary or non-monitary compensation• Avoid police or prison• Disability pensions•Others• Sometimes is difficult to diagnose27Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyConclusions•Many disorders• Have a multitude of symptoms• May begin with a physical cause, then move into a psychological disorder.• Some are hard to