Somatoform Disorders and Mood Disorders Psychology Grade 12 Ms. Rebecca

I. Somatization When people have physical symptoms because of psychological problems. - Example: Someone is depressed and actually feels physical pain with no physical cause

II. Types of Somatoform Disorders 2 Most Common: A. Conversion Disorder B. Hypochondriasis

A. Conversion Disorder A. Conversion Disorder People who have Conversion Disorder lose functioning in parts of their body for no apparent reason. Example: Someone may lose the ability to see at night or move their arms or legs for no reason Also, they usually don’t care about these symptoms.

B. Hypochondriasis Someone with Hypochondria is obsessed with thoughts that he/she has a serious disease. They may go from doctor to doctor trying to find someone who says there is something wrong with them, when in reality, they are physically healthy.

III. Explanations for Somatoform Disorders Psychoanalytic Theorists- think that somatoform disorders occur when people repress forbidden urges and express them in physical symptonms. People with conversion disorder convert psychological stress into actual physical problems. Ex: Fighter pilot

Behavioral Theorists say: Somatoform disorders are a reinforcement if they successfully allow someone to escape from mental anxiety.

Answer the following questions: 1. What is Somatization? 2. What is Conversion Disorder? 3. What is Hypocondriasis? 4. Why do you think people with somatization feel physical pain when there is no physical cause for it?

IV. Mood Disorder Mood changes = normal Mood changes that don’t really fit with a situation may have mood disorder

A. 2 Categories of Mood Disorder: 1. Depression 2. Bipolar disorder

1. Depression Very common. Estimated that 8-18 % of world populations will have depression in their lifetime.

Major Depression symptoms Diagnosed when a person has at least 5 of the following 9 symptoms for at least 2 weeks ALMOST every day! -Constant depressed mood for most of the day -Loss of interest in all, or almost all activities --significant weight loss or gain due to changes in appetite -Sleeping more or less than usual -Speeding up or slowing down of physical and emotional reactions -Loss of energy, constantly tired -Feelings of being worthless or guilty for no reason -Inability to concentrate or make decisions -Thoughts of death or suicide

Bipolar Disorder People with this disorder had dramatic ups and downs in their mood. Extreme happiness and exciting behavior can change to extreme sadness and depression for no clear reason

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms also may include: - inflated self-esteem - inability to sit still or sleep - pressure to keep talking and switching from topic to topic Racing thoughts Difficulty concentrating

Explaining Mood Disorders Psychological Views And Biological Views

A. Psychological Views 1. People suffer from depression because of trauma during childhood

2. Learned helplessness

3. Irrational Depressing thoughts People who are depressed are more likely to explain failures based on things that they feel helpless to change. If you have no hope, you get depressed. “There’s nothing I can do” “I’m no good” “I’m not smart enough to pass this class” “I can’t imagine ever feeling right”

B. Biological Views Tend to occur more often in close relatives of people with mood disorders. Scientists think that two parts of the brain (serotonin and noradrenaline) affect mood. These parts of the brain develop based on genes.

C. BOTH Psychological and Biological factors may contribute to mood disorders.

Choose one Mood disorder Depression or Bipolar disorder List the some of the symptoms of the disorder Go online and find a website that offers support for people with this disorder. Answer the following questions: 1. What is the title/address of the site? 2. What does the website say you should do if you have this disorder? 3. Do you think this advice is useful? Do you know anyone who has had one of these disorders?