Psychological Problems Masquerading as Health Issues

Medical Problems with Underlying Psychological Conflicts

What you'll learn:
Identify differences among classic Conversion, Pain and Somatoform disorders.
Learn methods for relieving clients with psychosocial discomfort.
Understand how to diagnose and treat Illness Anxiety Problems
Separating clients who fake illnesses (malingerers) from those who do not
Requirements
An interest in understanding interactions between physical and psychological problems.
Description
Several health problems are actually due to underlying psychological issues that need attention. Learn more about Conversion Problems, Primary Pain Disorders (PPD) and Briquette's Syndrome. For instance, some people avoid tackling problems in their relationships by developing dramatic physical symptoms such as waking up paralyzed or blind (known as Conversion). For example, someone who is having problems with a co-worker might wake up one day with an incapacity to move their legs.
Others who neglect their underlying psychological needs may find that it becomes expressed as either chronic or recurring physical pain in certain parts of their body (PPD). A woman who is unhappy in her marriage might find that pains develop in her lower back around the time that her partner is due home from work.
Another classic pattern (Briquette's Syndrome) takes the form of chronic physical discomfort in four areas of the body (the gastro-intestinal tract, in their sexual organs, or neurological and overall). All four symptoms will occur at one time, making the individual feel overwhelmed by their pain symptoms.
However, once the psychological stressors are addressed and resolved (for instance, changing the way a relationship works), the physical manifestations get resolved. In other words, after therapy for the psychological issue the illness vanishes.
Master the basics of Illness Anxiety Disorders (what used to be called Hypochondria) and how to treat them. Understand the psychological motives of people who fake an illness for either internal (attention from others) or external (making money) gains. Understand how to use the best methods for turning these problems on their head and taking back your health.

Who this course is for
Anyone who wants to know more about the power of psychological stress and the psychotherapies that relieve suffering.