- This group of disorders are characterized by repeated medical consultation for physical symptoms which have no adequate physical bases. - In most cases a psychiatric assessment will show that the physical symptoms bear a close relationship with stressful life events or emotional conflicts. Presentations: l-Somatisation disorder: · More in females · Usually chronic & fluctuating course over many years, · Symptoms may be referred to any part of the body. · Anxiety or depression may be present · Unhelpful operations e.g. hystetrectomy & cholecystectomy are common. Examples: - headache - dizziness - vomiting - nausea - sexual dysfunction - menstrual irregularity. 2-Hypochondrial disorders: · It is a morbid preoccupation with the possibility of having a serious illness. · Hypochondrial symptoms commonly occur in anxiety & depressive disorders but occasionally they are primary & persistent for many years. Examples: - Delusional parasitosis à consult dermatologist. - Dysmorphobia à requests for cosmetic surgery. 3-Somafoform autonomic dysfunction: · Symptoms are referred to organs which are under autonomic control. Examples: - Cardiac neurosis. - Psychogenic hyperventilation - Psychogenic vomiting. - I.B.D. 4-Somatoform pain disorder : · The common presentation is severe persistent pain, which can not be explained by a physical illness or physiological disturbance. · Emotional conflicts or psychological problems are evident.
