Somatoform Mental Disorders
What are Somatoform Mental Disorders you may ask? Somatoform
Disorders are ailments of the mind where the symptoms primarily
target the patients' fear of disease, medical problems, body,
and so forth. Most Somatoform patients share similar traits
including physical warning signs without explanation and mental
symptoms that insinuate that the physical elements of the
disorder are related to the psychological patterns of the mind.
Somatoform patients are often difficult to diagnose since there
are other related symptoms in both physical and mental areas
that need explored also. Multiple Sclerosis is one example that
is closely related to Somatoform Disorders, yet the symptoms
alter in various areas. Most patients before they have been
diagnosed or believed to have Somatoform must subject his or her
self to a series of Medicinal tests completed before the
diagnose Somatoform is issued.
Some symptoms of this type of disorder may include medical
problems that may or may not exist, (long-term), history of not
being able to function emotionally, sociably, and so forth.
Symptoms may also include inconsistencies and/or unclear
complaints of psychical illnesses, as well as physical symptoms
that include nausea, diarrhea, joint aches, and so forth. Often
the Somatoform patients are attention getters, and often abuse
substances, while they manipulate others, and depend on others
commonly.
Somatoform may or may not have additional disorders including
histrionic and/or antisocial disorders. One example of a
Somatoform Disorder is the Hypochondriasis. Often
Hypochondriasis suffers from fear that may include health. For
example, a Hypochondriasis may constantly complain about
symptoms that may or may not exist, as well as worry about
illnesses that may or may not occur. This type of patient may
worry about contact with diseases also. (Note: This is why it is
difficult to determine the diagnose of Somatoform without doing
extensive study.
OCD or Obsessive-Compulsive disorder patients will also worry
about diseases or contacting diseases and will repeatedly wash
their hands, and often avoid taking out the trash. The obsession
comes into play when the patient refuses, or illustrates an
extreme fear against some action and if forced to so the patient
may become aggressive, or even violent to avoid the task.
Compulsive is the same as obsessive almost since the patient
will often compel against actions that may cause disease.)
One example of Somatoform can be seen as follow: The patient
goes to the doctor and argues regardless of what the doctor says
that no disease is existing. The patient may argue that the
diseases are underdeveloped or tests have not been conducted to
detect the disease. Obviously, the doctor has done every test
available and found nothing, but the patient refuses to believe
that a disease does not exist. Another type of Somatoform is the
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), which consists of anxiety and
depression, as well as OCD traits, and assumed medical
conditions that often do not exist.
The patient often will argue that the body is malformed, and
will often disregard reassurance. This type you could argue for
hours with and never get anywhere. The most of these types of
disorders are new discoveries and not a lot of information is
available to help us understand the patients and the symptoms of
the diagnoses. Scientist for years has found new disorders that
are stumping them everyday. The best solution for helping these
types of people is to get immediate treatment since most of
these people have dangerous traits included in Somatoform.
Antisocial, OCD and Histrionic, and each of these diagnoses may
include violent behaviors. Histrionics, Antisocial and gradually
over a course of time OCD will kill if triggered. Therefore, the
diagnosis may be limited with information regarding the
symptoms, but if Antisocial, OCD and Histrionic are included,
series studies and help are needed in treating these patients.
Note: Scientist claim ending Antisocial Behaviors before they
start can provide a healthy and stable environment for the
patient and family. However, Antisocial Disorders (Known as
Conduct Disorders before the age of 18) are said to be
hereditary, which I believe an over the first theory and
Antisocial Disorders only escalate to deadly circumstances.
Regardless of the symptoms whether dangerous or not a person
should always get an evaluation to determine the cause.