Somatoform Disorders
| Definition: |
Disorders having the presence of physical symptoms that suggest a general medical condition but that are not fully explained by a general medical condition, by the direct effects of a substance, or by another mental disorder. The symptoms must cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other areas of functioning. In contrast to FACTITIOUS DISORDERS and MALINGERING, the physical symptoms are not under voluntary control. (APA, DSM-IV) |
| Notes: |
differentiate from FACTITIOUS DISORDERS and PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGIC DISORDERS |
| Also Called: |
Body Dysmorphic Disorder,Pain Disorder,Somatization Disorder |
Somatoform Disorders Categories.
 |
Conversion Disorder - A disorder whose predominant feature is a loss or alteration in physical functioning that suggests a physical disorder but that is actually a direct expression of a psychological conflict or need. |
|
Hypochondriasis - Preoccupation with the fear of having, or the idea that one has, a serious disease based on the person's misinterpretation of bodily symptoms. (APA, DSM-IV) |
|
Neurasthenia - A mental disorder characterized by chronic fatigue and concomitant physiologic symptoms. |
Somatoform Disorders Definitions and Terms
MedicalGlossary.org is designed as a free, browsable resource for all. The medical terms and definitions are not intended to replace medical informaion provided by licensed healthcare professionals. Please see a doctor if you need medical assistance. Don't see the medical term you were researching? Send us an e-mail from our "about us" page. We will do our best to research and classify new medical terms in a timely manner. Our current list of medical terms is over 26,000. Data sources include the U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2004 Medical Subject Headings.
|
