Somatoform disorder may also cause gastrointestinal problems. Depression and stress are thought to be other possible causes of somatoform disorder. Others caused is many medical problems, somatoform disorder often runs in families. Symptoms of somatoform disorder may include frequent headaches, back pain, abdominal cramping and pelvic pain. Other symptoms include pain in the joints, legs and arms, and chest or abdominal pain. There is a somatoform disorder, however, referred to as undifferentiated somatoform disorder in which the patient may have concurrent conversion, hypochondrical and somatoform pain symptoms. A long-term relationship with a trusted primary care practitioner (PCP) is a safeguard against unnecessary treatments as well as a comfort to the patient. Many PCPs prefer to schedule brief appointments on a regular basis with the patient and keep referrals to specialists to a minimum. Patients with somatoform disorders are not considered good candidates for psychoanalysis and other forms of insight-oriented psychotherapy. Hypnosis is a technique that is sometimes used as part of a general psychotherapeutic approach to conversion disorder
Causes of Somatoform Disorder
Common Causes and Risk factors of Somatoform Disorder
Depression.
Stress.
Social and/or occupational functioning.
Genetic factors.
Biological factors.
Cultural influences.
Signs and Symptoms of Somatoform Disorder
Common Sign and Symptoms of Somatoform Disorder
Pain.
Fatigue .
Appetite loss.
Gastrointestinal problems.
Hallucinations.
Disorganized speech.
Treatment of Somatoform Disorder
Common Treatment of Somatoform Disorder
Patients with somatoform disorders are sometimes given antianxiety drugs or antidepressant drugs
Body dysmorphic disorder as been successfully treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) antidepressants.
Some patients with pain disorder benefit from group therapy or support groups, particularly if their social network has been limited by their pain symptoms.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is also used sometimes to treat pain disorder.
Family therapy is usually recommended for children or adolescents with somatoform disorders.
Hypnosis is a technique that is sometimes used as part of a general psychotherapeutic approach to conversion disorder.
Shared psychotic disorder has also been referred to by other names such as psychosis of association, contagious insanity, infectious insanity, double insanity, and communicated insanity. This disorder usually occurs only in long-term relationships in which one person is dominant and the other is passive. In most cases, the person in whom the delusions are induced is dependent on or submissive to the person with the psychotic disorder. The people involved often are reclusive or otherwise isolated from society and have close emotional links with each other. The disorder also can occur in groups of individuals who are closely involved with a person who has a psychotic disorder. The disturbance is not better accounted for by another Psychotic Disorder (e.g., Schizophrenia) or a Mood Disorder With Psychotic Features and is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition. The dominating primary case is most commonly represented by persons with schizophrenia, delusions, or mood disorders. In Western countries, both the original delusions in the dominant person and the induced delusions in the submissive person are usually chronic and either persecutory or grandiose in nature. In Japan, acute psychotic reactions have been noted to be delusions of a religious nature.
Causes of Shared Psychotic Disorder
Common Causes and Risk factors of Shared Psychotic Disorder
Social Isolation.
Stress.
Signs and Symptoms of Shared Psychotic Disorder
Sign and Symptoms of Shared Psychotic Disorder
Delusions.
Hallucinations.
Disorganized speech.
Grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior.
Treatment of Shared Psychotic Disorder
Common Treatment of Shared Psychotic Disorder
Atypical newer neuroleptics are the accepted mode of treatment for the spectrum of these disorders.
Newer-generation anticonvulsants are also highly effective for shared psychotic disorder.
Olanzapine/fluoxetine (Symbyax), aripiprazole (Abilify), and quetiapine (Seroquel) are extremely effective in these cases.
Antipsychotic medications also useful for Shared Psychotic Disorder
psychotherapy treating Shared Psychotic Disorder
Family therapy should also be considered to re-establish the nuclear family and to provide social support to modify old family dynamics.
Do not use illegal drugs or drink alcohol, especially when you are taking medicine for this condition.