1. SOMATOFORM DISORDERS

2.  Ulcers, asthma, high blood pressure  Organic basis, caused by emotional disturbance or stress.

3.  Symptoms are imaginary  They are not faking it!!!  Three types: Somatization Disorder, Conversion Disorder, Hypochondria.

4.  Occur mostly in women.  Endless succession of minor physical ailments.  Long and complicated medical history.  Mixed bag of complaints – cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, neurological, etc.

5.  Partial or complete loss of vision, hearing, paralysis, laryngitis or mutism, fuction of limbs.  Ailments are more severe than Somatization.  Ailments are not consistent with medical knowledge.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fOf qfvym3o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fOf qfvym3o

6.  Skeptical and disbelieving of physicians.  Over interpret every conceivable sign of illness.  Often appears alongside of other psychological disorders – anxiety and depression.  Howard Hughes- OCD & profound hypochondria.

7. Personality traits: self-centered, suggestible, excitable, highly emotional, and overly dramatic (Historonic Personality) “The Sick Role” – people grow fond of role associated with being sick!! Avoidance – dodging lifes problems- marital, career, family, etc. (when you are sick people tend not to place demands on you) Attention – family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and doctors. (The sympathy received acts as a reinforcer.)