Paper Summary:

This essay discusses issues surrounding somatization, a relatively rare disorder in which the sufferer experiences physical symptoms that cannot be explained by disease. The essay explores the causative factors, the diagnosis, occurrence and symptoms, the genetics and biology involved in the disorder as well as treatment and best-practice modalities to discuss how treatments can be made more effective. The paper finds that a more multidisciplinary approach would lead to a better understanding and more effective treatment of this disorder.

Outline:
Overview and Definition
Diagnosis, Occurrence and Symptoms
Causative Factors
Culture and Other Related Factors
Genetics and Biology
Treatment and Best-Practice Modalities

From the Paper:

"The symptoms of this disorder also have a severely detrimental impact on the patient's life and usually results in "...substantial personal, social, and occupational impairment...and are not feigned or voluntarily produced, as in malingering or factitious disorder." (Eifert & Zvolensky, 2005, p. 282) As noted, the history of these physical complaints in most cases occurs before the age of thirty and continues over a period of several years. (Cohen, 2003, p. 373) Somitization disorder is also known to have negative economic and financial consequences. (Eifert & Zvolensky, 2005, p. 281)"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bass, C. M., & Murphy, M. R. (1990). Somatization disorder: Critique of the concept and suggestions for future research. In C. M. Bass (Ed. ), Somatization. Physical symptoms and psychological illness (pp. 301-332). Oxford: Blackwell.
• Cohen, B. J. (2003). Theory and Practice of Psychiatry. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Eifert, G. H., & Zvolensky, M. J. (2005). Chapter 13 Somatoform Disorders. In Psychopathology: Foundations for a Contemporary Understanding, Maddux, J. E. & Winstead, B. A. (Eds.) (pp. 281-297). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Retrieved October 17, 2008, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=104630792
• Information on Somatoform Disorders ( 2008) Retrieved October 17, 2008, from http://www.angelfire.com/home/bphoenix1/somato.html
• Maddux, J. E. & Winstead, B. A. (Eds.). (2005). Psychopathology: Foundations for a Contemporary Understanding. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Retrieved October 17, 2008, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=104630500

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