Somatoform Disorders Chapter 18 Section 4

Somatization Somatization- comes from the Greek word for “body”, refers to the expression of psychological distress through physical symptoms. People with somatoform disorders do not fake their illnesses. They honestly feel pain or believe they cannot move their limbs.

Types of Somatoform Disorders The two most common types are: Conversion Disorder Hypochondriasis

Conversion Disorder People with conversion disorder experience a change in or loss of physical functioning in a major part of the body for which there is no known medical explanation. –Examples: Inability to see at night Inability to move legs

Hypochondriasis Unhealthy fear of having, or the unsubstantiated belief that one has, a serious disease; characterized by the person’s misinterpretation of his or her normal bodily symptoms or functions.

Explaining Somatoform Disorders According to psychological theory, somatoform disorder occurs when individuals repress emotions associated with forbidden urges and instead express them symbolically in physical symptoms.