Psychosomatic

Disorders

Psychiatry Department, Kasr El-

Ainy Medical School, Faculty of
Medicine, Cairo University.

IDs: 5032, 5033, 5034, 5037, 5038,

5039, 5041, 5043, 5046, 5048, 5049.
 Group
Firdaus Hanafi Members
5032

5033

5034

5037

Hazimin Aminuddin
 Group
Arif Imran Basheer Members
5038

5039

5041

5043

Fikri Hasif
 Group
Ikraam Izzuddin Members
5046

5048

5049

Khalis
Definitions

Psychosomatic Medicine,
Psychosomatic Disorders
 What is
psychosomatic
medicine?
And what is a
psychosomatic
disorder?
Definitions

– Psychosomatic Medicine: an area of scientific investigations

concerned with the relation between psychological factors and
physiological phenomena in general and disease pathogenesis in
particular (mind-body connections).

– Psychosomatic Disorders: condition in which psychological

stresses adversely affect physiological (somatic) functioning to the
point of distress.
 Etiology

Psychosomatic Disorders
Etiology

Specific stress factors: Non-specific stress factors:

• Certain personality are • Any prolonged stress can

specific for a specific cause physiological
psychosomatic disorder. changes that result in a
physical disorder.
• eg: Type A personality
• eg: Chronic depression
Etiology

Parents-
Conditioned Sociocultural Personality
children
Reflexes Determinants Types
Relationships
 Clinical
Presentations

Psychosomatic Disorders
 What are the
clinical
manifestations
of a
psychosomatic
disorder?
Clinical Presentations
Gastrointestinal Diseases
– Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia
– Gastrointestinal Ulcers
– Ulcerative Colitis
– Irritable Bowel Syndrome
– Diarrhea, Constipation
– Obesity
Cardiovascular Diseases
– Coronary Heart Disease
– Essential Hypertension
– Paroxysmal Tachycardia
– Migraine
– Mitral Valve Prolapse
Clinical Presentations
Skin Diseases
– Allergies, Eczema, Urticaria
– Dermatitis, Neurodermatitis
– Pruritus Anogenitalis
– Acne
– Hyperhidrosis
– Alopecia Areata
Musculoskeletal Problems
– Muscular tensions
– Backache
– Osteoarthritis
– Rheumatoid Arthritis
– Tension headaches
Clinical Presentations

Endocrinal Problems Respiratory Problems

– Diabetes Mellitus – Bronchial asthma
– Thyrotoxicosis, Myxedema – Hiccough
– Colds, flu
Clinical Presentations

Genitourinary Problems Others

– Dyspareunia – Impaired immune system: prone to
– Micturition disturbances infections

– Impotence – Mental affections: anxiety,

depression, etc.
– Mesntruation
– Cancer
Managements

Psychosomatic Disorders
How to manage
patients with
psychosomatic
disorders?
Managements

General treatments Medical treatments

Minor tranquilizers
(benzodiazepines)
Treatment of
symptoms
Autonomic blockers
(beta blockers)
Managements

Systematic Biofeedback
desensitization training

Mild cases:
Others
Reassurance
Behavioral
Therapy
– Staff Members of the Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine,
Cairo University (2014-2015). Somatoform and Psychosomatic
Disorders. Psychiatry for Undergraduate Medical Students (pp. 47)
Cairo, Egypt: Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University.
– Wolman B. B., (1988). Psychosomatic Disorders. New York, NY:
Plenum Publishing Corporation.
– The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica (20/7/1998). Psychosomatic References
Disorder (Pathology). Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from:
https://www.britannica.com/science/psychosomatic-disorder
– Gotter A. & Legg T. J., (14/11/2016). Behavioral Therapy. Healthline.
Retrieved from: http://www.healthline.com/health/behavioral-
therapy#Overview1