Page 474 - Understanding Psychology

Somatoform and Dissociative Disorders
s Main Idea
Dealing with anxiety and stress can lead to somatoform and dissociative disorders.
s Vocabulary
• somatoform disorder
• conversion disorder
• dissociative disorder
• dissociative amnesia
• dissociative fugue
• dissociative identity disorder
s Objectives
• Identify the behavioral patterns that
psychologists label as somatoform
disorders.
• Describe the symptoms of dis-
sociative disorders.
Reader’s Guide
Exploring Psychology
Why Can’t the Prince Walk?
There is an ancient Persian legend about a physician named Rhazes who was called into the palace for the purpose of diagnosing and treating a young prince. Apparently, the prince could not walk. After the usual examination of the day, Rhazes determined that there was nothing wrong with the prince’s legs, at least not physically. With little more than a hunch, Rhazes set out to treat what may be the first recorded case of conversion. In doing so, he took a risk: Rhazes unexpectedly walked into the prince’s bathroom bran- dishing a dagger and threatened to kill him. Upon seeing him, “the startled prince abruptly fled, leaving his clothes, his dig- nity, his symptom, and undoubtedly part of his self-esteem behind.”
—from The Neuroses by H.P. Laughlin, 1967
460 Chapter 16 / Psychological Disorders
The prince in the excerpt above suffered from a somatoform disor- der. These disorders are characterized by physical symptoms brought about by psychological distress. Today psychologists treat somatoform disorders with less drastic techniques. Psychologists may challenge conversion patients, attempting to force them out of the symp- toms. It is important to note that the prince did not consciously fake his symptoms to avoid pressure or work; it is likely that he honestly could not move his legs. Psychologists must take this into account when treat- ing such disorders.