Synonym(s)
DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
Somatoform disorders (in dermatology) refer to physical complaints that cannot be attributed, or not sufficiently attributed, to a genuine dermatological disease. In addition to indefinable skin symptoms, general symptoms such as fatigue and exhaustion, pain symptoms, cardiovascular complaints, gastrointestinal complaints, sexual and pseudoneurological symptoms are in the foreground. Somatoform disorders should be distinguished from psychological disorders (especially depressive disorders, anxiety disorders and personality disorders).
Occurrence/EpidemiologyThis section has been translated automatically.
Transient somatoform disorders occur in about 80% (!) of the population. In 4-20% these complaints can become chronic. Somatoform disorders belong to the frequent dermatological disorders (about 18% of a general dermatological clientele; in comparison with general practitioners: about 20% of patients). The costs for the treatment of this group of persons are considerable and are up to 14 times higher than the average per capita treatment expenditure!
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EtiopathogenesisThis section has been translated automatically.
Clinical featuresThis section has been translated automatically.
The dermatological clientele includes pruritus, somatoform autonomous functional disorders such as erythrophobia or hyperhidrosis, anogenital pain syndromes or dysesthesias (e.g. vulvodynia, glossodynia), feelings of disfigurement ( dysmorphophobia) with their special form of the " Dorian Gray Syndrome" or also non-objectifiable hair loss (see below effluvium) in the foreground of an insistent symptom of complaint which is vehemently or lachrymatically presented by the patient.
Hypochondriac disorders such as carcinophobia or infection phobias (e.g. Borrelia phobia or mycophobias) also come to the fore.
In the past, the symptoms of venereal diseases were the focus of complaints.
There are also complaints about an incomprehensible allergological symptomatology (e.g. amalgam allergy, allergies to detergents) or general hypersensitivity (see below sensitivity, multiple, chemical or eco-syndrome). Also reported are feelings of breathing inhibition, feeling of pressure, stings, feeling of tightness in the chest, heart stumbling, irritable stomach and irritable bowel with nausea, feeling of fullness, abdominal pain, stool irregularities, chronic lower abdominal pain, urethral syndrome, prostate dynia.
DiagnosisThis section has been translated automatically.
TherapyThis section has been translated automatically.
TablesThis section has been translated automatically.
ICD No. |
Somatoform disorder |
Dermatological clinical pictures |
F45.0 |
Somatisation Disorder |
Environmental syndromes(eco-syndrome; sensitivity, multiple, chemical = MCS) |
Special forms: "amalgam allergy", "light allergy", food intolerances, "sperm allergy", "detergent allergy | ||
F 45.2 |
Hypochondriac disorders |
Nosophobias (carcinophobia, infection phobia [e.g. Borrelia phobia]) |
Body dysmorphic disorders (ugliness complex, Dorian Gray syndrome) | ||
F 45.3 |
Somatoform autonomic dysfunctions |
|
F 45.4 |
Persistent somatoform pain disorders |
Cutaneous dysesthesias(glossodynia, trichodynia, vulvodynia) |
F45.8 |
Other somatoform disorders |
Sensory complaints(pruritus on primarily unchanged skin, tingling, pricking); Tanorexia |
Note(s)This section has been translated automatically.
The term "somatoform disorders" was introduced into the official classification systems in 1980. In the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), they are included in category F45. Traditional terms for clinical pictures from these categories are e.g. psychogenic disorders, functional disorders, vegetative dystonia, general psychosomatic syndrome, conversion hysteria, Briquet hysteria, psychic overlay, neurasthenia, nihiloderma, "dermatologic non-disease".
The relationship between doctors and patients with somatoform disorders is often extremely difficult: there is a risk of breaking off the doctor-patient relationship and frequent changes of doctor ("doctor-hopping" or "doctor-shopping"). The patient, despite comprehensive medical information, continues to accept organic causes of his complaints (only these legitimize his complaints) and does not feel taken seriously by the doctor.
LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.
- Brähler E et al (2002) Findings and health: psychological aspects of physical complaints. In: Brähler E, Strauß B (ed.) Fields of action in psychosocial medicine. Hogrefe, Göttingen
- Harth W et al (2007) Nihiloderma in psychodermatology. Dermatologist 58: 427-434
- Stand S (2018) Pruritus and Prurigo. In: G.Plewig et al. (eds.), Braun-Falco`s Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology. Springer Reference Medicine S 589
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Incoming links (10)
Amalgam allergy; Body dysmorphic disorders; Clinical ecology syndrome; Disorders, body dysmorphic; Dorian gray syndrome; Dysmorphophobia; Erythrophobia; Sensitivity, multiple, chemical; MCS-Syndrom; Multiple chemische Sensitivität; ; Tanorexia; Vestibulitis, irritative;Outgoing links (12)
Amalgam allergy; Clinical ecology syndrome; Dorian gray syndrome; Dysmorphophobia; Effluvium; Erythrophobia; Glossary; Hyperhidrosis (overview); Pruritus; Pruritus on primarily unchanged skin; ... Show allDisclaimer
Please ask your physician for a reliable diagnosis. This website is only meant as a reference.
Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer