Post on 24-Feb-2016
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‘Caring Rather Than Curing,’ the Simulated Syndromes
Jonny Gerkin, MDAssistant Professor
UNC Department of Psychiatry
What are we really talking about?Somatoform Disorders, Factitious Disorders and Malingering
Prepare to be bored!.. briefly
SOME VOCABULARY
◦Unconscious◦Conscious◦Primary gain◦Secondary gain◦Sick role◦Somatization◦Simulation
Unconscious ◦ The division of the mind in psychoanalytic theory containing elements
of psychic makeup, such as memories or repressed desires, that are not subject to conscious perception or control but that often affect conscious thoughts and behavior.
Conscious◦ In psychoanalysis, the component of waking awareness perceptible by a
person at any given instant; consciousness.
Primary gain ◦ The direct alleviation of anxiety by a defense mechanism; the
relief from emotional conflict or tension provided by neurotic symptoms or illness. The "gain" may not be particularly evident to an outside observer.
Secondary gain ◦ The external advantage derived from an illness, such as rest,
gifts, personal attention, release from responsibility, and disability benefits. If he/she is deliberately exaggerating symptoms for personal gain, then he/she is malingering. However, secondary gain may simply be an unconscious psychological component of symptoms and other personalities.
Sick Role, not to be confused with Rollin’
Sick role ◦A term used in medical sociology concerning
the social aspects of falling ill and the privileges and obligations that accompany it…being sick means that the sufferer enters a role of 'sanctioned deviance.‘ i.e., they get to skip work!
Somatization ≠ Somatoform D/O
Somatization ◦A process describe as the tendency of certain
patients to experience and communicate psychological and interpersonal problems in the form of somatic distress and medically unexplained (or out of proportion) symptoms for which they seek medical help.
◦It is vital for medical practitioners to recognize somatization as a MASKED PRESENTATION OF PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESS.
Simulation◦In this context we are referring to the
production of symptoms. Whether it is conscious or unconscious, volitional or non-volitional, is secondary.
All of the above have some elements of SIMULATION and DECEPTION & elements of
primary and secondary gain - each existing on a continuum & varying over time and context.
Production Motivation PredomGain
Somatization (Somatoform D/O’s)
Unconscious Unconscious Primary
Factitious D/O’s
Conscious Unconscious Primary
Malingering Conscious Conscious Secondary
Common feature = unexplained physical symptom not intentionally
produced
Somatoform disorders include:
◦Somatization Disorder◦Undifferentiated Somatoform Disorder◦Conversion Disorder◦Pain Disorder◦Hypochondriasis◦Body Dysmorphic Disorder◦Somatoform Disorder NOS
Excluding a medical cause for symptoms is problematic
There are major difficulties in the clinical application of somatoform disorders…
Spinal Cord Astrocytoma Mistaken for Conversion Disorder…
Catatonia mistaken for Conversion…
◦‘a diagnosis of conversion disorder must remain a provisional hypothesis that has to be periodically
reevaluated.’
Wait there’s more…
Clinical Vignette: The medical service requests a consult, the pt is demanding unnecessary trx, pain out of proportion.◦28 yo SWF c/o pelvic pain, N and V requesting IV
vancomycin for her “pelvic infection.” She vaguely describes some vaginal discharge.
◦She is afebrile with stable vital signs otherwise.◦H/o unilateral oophorectomy d/t pain of ovarian
cyst and endometriosis 4 months prior. Post-op course was “complicated” by soft tissue infection requiring multiple courses of vancomycin.
That’s probably enough info…
The surgical wound is now healed, but she continues to note pain in her pelvis that she feels has only been resolved by IV vancomycin previously.
She describes being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, low back pain, HA and generalized large joint pains.
She endorses h/o painful intercourse, painful menses She notes she has been evaluated in the ED too many times to count
dating back to childhood and that she has had multiple practitioners not know what to do which has led to ‘firing’ many of them.
She does endorse a history of tumultuous interpersonal relationships, some history of domestic violence and a childhood that was less than nurturing.
She denies depressive or significant anxiety symptoms. She does not see any possible relationship of her symptoms to recent psychosocial stressors to include her male ‘roommate’ moving out. She denies substance abuse history.
Lab studies unremarkable.
Differential anyone?◦Complications of her multiple surgeries, such as
adhesions, abscess or other infectious etiologies or autoimmune condition
◦Substance abuse◦Factitious disorder◦Malingering
Where’s the significant secondary gain??
Somatization Disorder
Clinical Vignette: The medical service requests a consult, the pt is demanding unnecessary trx, pain out of proportion.◦28 yo SWF c/o pelvic pain, N and V requesting IV
vancomycin for her “pelvic infection.” She vaguely describes some vaginal discharge.
◦She is afebrile with stable vital signs otherwise.◦H/o unilateral oophorectomy d/t pain of ovarian
cyst and endometriosis 4 months prior. Post-op course was “complicated” by soft tissue infection requiring multiple courses of vancomycin.
Who knows the mnemonic?...
The surgical wound is now healed, but she continues to note pain in her pelvis that she feels has only been resolved by IV vancomycin previously.
She describes being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, low back pain, HA and generalized large joint pains.
She endorses h/o painful intercourse, painful menses. She notes she has been evaluated in the ED too many times to count
dating back to childhood and that she has had multiple practitioners not know what to do which has led to ‘firing’ many of them.
She does endorse a history of tumultuous interpersonal relationships, some history of domestic violence and a childhood that was less than nurturing.
She denies depressive or significant anxiety symptoms. She does not see any possible relationship of her symptoms to recent psychosocial stressors to include her male ‘roommate’ moving out. She denies substance abuse history.
Lab studies unremarkable.
Mnemonic: Recipe 4 Pain: Convert 2 stomachs to 1 sex
Somatization Disorder: There is a history of many physical complaints, beginning
before the age of 30. Each of the following criteria must have been met: Four pain symptoms (4 Pain) Two gastrointestinal symptoms (2 Stomachs) One sexual symptom (1 Sex) One pseudoneurologic symptom (Convert) Each symptom cannot be fully explained by a known medical
condition, or, if there is a demonstrated medical condition, the impairment is in excess of what would be expected.
The Blind Blogger27 yo woman, no
significant med hxPresents to ER with c/o
blindnessNeuro & fundoscopic
exam neg, workup (CT, MRI, EEG) negative
Family history: Sister w/juvenile Macular Dystrophy
Onset of symptoms after discovering boyfriend’s infidelity on facebook
The Developing Daddy 35yo male Presents to PCP
complaining of weight gain, indigestion, variable appetite, constipation, headache, and toothache.
His wife is in her late third trimester, but symptoms started in her third gestational month indigestion
He is somewhat embarrassed by his appearance
The Worried Weatherman45yo man6th primary care in
6 weeksComplains of mild
headache, worries that he has brain tumor
Neuro exam: wnlCT head: negativePt still worries that
he has cancer
The anorexic Anarchist 22 yo man with few year
history of diffuse abdominal pain, persistent - limiting intake
Negative medical hx, some alcohol and illicits
Started after dropped out, has not returned to college
No longer participates in rallies due to pain
Multiple exams, labs, EGD, abd xray and CT unrevealing of source
Dietary changes, PPI, OTC analgesics of little benefit; opiate analgesics transiently relieving
The Demanding Diva75yo femalePresents to plastic
surgeon complaining of wrinkles, demanding more botox
History of multiple prior cosmetic procedures and injections
Embarrassed by appearance
Differ from Conversion b/c symptoms physical and time
Undifferentiated Somatoform Disorder◦One or more physical complaints cannot be fully
explained by medical condition/substances, lasting 6 or more months, do not fulfill criteria for Somatization d/o – generally similar characteristics just fewer symptoms
Somatoform D/O NOS Pseudocyesis; non-psychotic hypochondriacal
symptoms < 6 months; unexplained physical symptoms < 6months
Pseudoseizures, paralysis, amnesia, blindness, ataxia, deafness…
Conversion Disorder
◦ Neurological (voluntary motor or sensory) symptoms or deficits that are associated with psychological factors that cause significant distress
◦ Symptoms or deficits are not intentionally produced◦ Typically begin abruptly and dramatically◦ La belle indifference (not pathognomonic, no prognostic value)
– not distressed◦ Psychodynamic views – primary gain, e.g. a conflict about
aggression expressed by paralyzed arm ◦ Most patients show rapid response to treatment◦ Pseudosz, amnesia, tremor more likely to have poor outcome –
sig relationship to childhood (sexual) trauma
Pain is the most common reason a patient presents to a physician for evaluation.
◦Pain Disorder The primary criteria require that pain be the primary
complaint and that it causes significant distress or functional impairment.
Psychological factors have important role. Not intentionally produced. Not better accounted for by Mood, Anxiety or
Psychotic D/O, not meet criteria for Dyspareunia◦Types:
Associated with Psychological Factors Associated with both Psychological Factors and a
General Medical Condition
‘Hypochondria is the only illness that I don't have.’
◦Hypochondriasis
Core feature is fear of disease or a conviction that one has a disease despite normal physical exam results and investigations and physician reassurance. At least 6 months.
In clinical practice sorting out delusional from non-delusional hypochondriasis is sometimes difficult. Can the person consider the possibility that the feared disease is not present?
Primary hypochondriasis appears to be chronic – potentially better classified as a personality style or trait, worsens with stress.
Preoccupation not better accounted for by GAD, OCD, Panic D/O, MDE, Sep Anxiety or other Somatoform D/O
Anyone watch the Hills?
◦Body Dysmorphic Disorder The preoccupation with an imagined defect in
appearance (if a slight anomaly is present, the individual’s concern with it is judged to be markedly excessive*) that is accompanied by significant distress or impairment in social or occupational functioning.
Increasingly seen as an OCD spectrum disorder. Delusional BDD may represent a difference in insight
rather than a distinct syndrome. MDD is highly comorbid, OCD, social phobia, substance
use as well. “Normal body disastisfaction” exists, duh
Limit setting and caring rather than curing…
Management..
Evidence suggests the best choice for most patients is management by their
PCP in consultation with a shrink.
Recommended potential management approaches:
◦1) Reattribution approach – linking symptoms to psychological stressors. Good for those with some insight, primary care settings.
◦2) Psychotherapeutic - focus upon trusting relationship, persistent somatizers.
◦3) Directive – interventions framed in medical model, hostile patients who deny psychological or social factors in their symptomatology.
Avoid explanations that are heard as, “It’s all in your head,” duh
Exercise, PTRelaxation, Meditation, HypnotherapyBehavioral (Exposure for Hypochondriasis)Suggestion and reassurance (emphasizing lack of
serious illness diagnoses and likelihood of improvement through activity)
CBT (may be preferred for Hypochondriasis, Somatization)
Dynamic, Group, Family PsychotherapiesMedications (target comorbidities, antidepressants,
SSRI/TCA’s primarily)
The Fatigued Farmer58 yo man whose farm is failingNo sequelae of
chemical exposure on repeated exhaustive medical evaluations
Pursuing disabilityLitigation against
chemical fertilizer company
The Anemic Aide31 yo single female
surgical nurse aide Refractory and poorly
characterized anemiaRecent break up with
surgery residentFound with extra
butterfly needles on her person at work
Deception Syndromes…
“Just because I’m faking it doesn’t mean I ain’t sick.”
Deception Syndromes
◦Factitious Disorder NOS (Proxy types here) Predominantly physical signs/sxs Predominantly psychological signs/sxs Combined
◦Malingering Less a diagnosis than a socially unacceptable behavior
with legal ramifications – assigned a V code
Common risk factors: F, single, 30’s, prior health care work, cluster B PD w/Borderline fx.
Factitious Disorder (common - physical)◦Intentional production or feigning of physical
signs/sxs, behaviors are surreptitious (stealthy)◦ Motivation for the behavior is to assume sick
role (unconscious)◦External incentives for the behavior or
improving physical well being are absent◦No aliases generally or travel from hospital
system to system
Common risk factors: M, single, 40’s, Cluster B PD w/ASPD fx
Factitious Disorder (Munchausen’s)
◦Same criteria with self-induction of disease, but more pervasive with use of aliases while ‘hospital hopping,’ & pseudologia fantastica (pathological lying – grandiose storytelling)
◦Munchausen’s by Internet? Seriously? Yup, DSM-V
But what about feigned psychological symptoms?...
Among the most common presentations of self induced illness have been chest pain, endocrine disorders, coagulopathies, infections and neurological symptoms.
Diagnostic clues include Low C-peptide, dissociation of fever and pulse, laxative in stool, high urinary K (diuretics), serum assays for anticoag, etc., low serum thyroglobulin
Factitious Disorder Primarily Psychological..Majority of factitious disorders describe physical
symptoms alone. Factitious psychological symptoms are generally
in association with either authentic or fabricated physical symptoms
Ganser’s syndrome – approximate answers, closely related to factitious, feigning dementia
One of my patients as a resident was a former Duke and Syracuse Basketball player & CEO of a drug company, who suffered with “anxiety,” though he never accepted prescriptions for the medications he was “taking” and internet searches never revealed any evidence and he was only in his early 30’s.
So how do we manage this stuff?
Proposed motivations for factitious disorder:
◦Need to be center of attention◦Longing to be cared for◦Maladaptive reaction to loss or separation◦Anger at physicians or displaced onto them◦Pleasure derived from deceiving others
(“duping delight”)
Invasive/risky diagnostic and treatment procedures should be based on objective evidence only.
Management and Treatment
◦Indirect confrontation or risk hostility, departure AMA, threats of law suits Ex: ‘Some patients may do something to themselves
as a way of seeking help…’◦Treat comorbid psychiatric issues (Depression, PD,
Anxiety, Substance abuse) with meds and psychotherapy.
◦Supportive Psychotherapy may allow for relationship not contingent upon new physical symptoms
Parents (usually mom) who have induced disease in their children.
Factitious Disorder by Proxy – actually covered by Factitious NOS per DSM-IV◦Also known as Munchausen’s by Proxy
Blended form of the condition in which child self-produces symptoms w/aid of parent
Differential for Munchausen by Proxy:◦Pediatric Somatization Syndromes◦Somatoform Disorder by proxy (parent’s
anxiety projected onto child)◦Infanticide/Murder◦Psychosis in parent◦Child abuse (garden variety)◦Factitious behavior initiated by child◦Malingering by child (school rejection)◦Unrecognized physical disease
Orville Lynn Majors, Clinton, Indiana, at least 130 murders
Richard Angelo, Long Island, New York, at least 10 murders
Michael Swango, New York, at least 4 murders
Dr. Shipman one of the world's most prolific serial killers, claiming at least 215 victims in Britain.
Genene Jones, Texas, at least 20 murders
Efren Saldivar, California, at least 6 murders
Beverley Allitt, Britain, at least 4 murders
Angel of Death Syndrome◦Hospital Epidemics of Factitious Disorder by
Proxy – better described as serial murder
Hoover’s sign..but what’s the motivation?
Malingering◦By definition – motivated by specific,
recognizable external incentives to produce, exaggerate or simulate physical or psychological illness
Specific neuropsych testing can occasionally be useful.
Malingering
◦Embellishment of previous or concurrent illness is most commonly encountered
◦Symptoms tend to disappear when the person obtains the desired goal or is confronted with irrefutable evidence – though not always
◦REMINDER: more of an accusation of external motives than a psychiatric diagnosis
◦HOWEVER: presence of secondary gains are NOT evidence of malingering per se.
Story too perfect, too vague, nothing works, heard about this medication Xanax from a friend…
Rule out malingering in…
◦Patients on disability.◦Patients involved in litigation related to a
psychiatric condition.◦Patients seeking a prescription for a controlled
substance during the initial interview.
Pt’s with somatoform d/o’s are generally consistent in their symptom presentation
regardless of audience/observation
CONTINUUMConversion Malingering
opposite poles of purely unconscious and purely conscious motivation
Difficult at any given moment to know where the patient is on this continuum
Remember that we cannot cure unexplained illness, but we can care for those afflicted by them….which generally helps.
References
Levenson, James, and American Publishing. The American Psychiatric Publishing textbook of psychosomatic
medicine. Arlington, VA: Amer Psychiatric Pub Inc, 2005. 271-309. Print.
The Psychiatric Interview, Practical Guides in Psychiatry. 'Ed'. Daniel J Carlat. Newburyport, MA: Lippincott Wiliiams & Wilkins, 2005. Print.
Thanks for your attention!