Abstract
Background: Somatic symptoms are common in trauma survivors, including those who have experienced sexual abuse. These symptoms sometimes continue or get worse during the course of medical investigations, provoking even more investigation, and leading to a vicious circle involving invasive medical procedures and frustrating attempts at diagnosis and care. In such cases, the symptoms may be considered fulminant.
Method: This article presents a review and analysis of three cases of adolescents presenting with fulminant somatic symptoms.
Results: In each case, the patient’s symptoms resolved when the focus of care shifted from investigation to support for coping. Sexual abuse history had been overlooked during the acute phase.
Conclusions: In such patients, somatic investigation may evoke past trauma. Management should consider a shift in emphasis from investigation to promoting adaptation.
Keywords: Adolescents, medically unexplained conditions, sexual abuse, somatization.
Adolescent Psychiatry
Title:Fulminant Somatization: Medical Investigation in Trauma Survivors
Volume: 4 Issue: 3
Author(s): Gordon Harper and Oommen Mammen
Affiliation:
Keywords: Adolescents, medically unexplained conditions, sexual abuse, somatization.
Abstract: Background: Somatic symptoms are common in trauma survivors, including those who have experienced sexual abuse. These symptoms sometimes continue or get worse during the course of medical investigations, provoking even more investigation, and leading to a vicious circle involving invasive medical procedures and frustrating attempts at diagnosis and care. In such cases, the symptoms may be considered fulminant.
Method: This article presents a review and analysis of three cases of adolescents presenting with fulminant somatic symptoms.
Results: In each case, the patient’s symptoms resolved when the focus of care shifted from investigation to support for coping. Sexual abuse history had been overlooked during the acute phase.
Conclusions: In such patients, somatic investigation may evoke past trauma. Management should consider a shift in emphasis from investigation to promoting adaptation.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Harper Gordon and Mammen Oommen, Fulminant Somatization: Medical Investigation in Trauma Survivors, Adolescent Psychiatry 2014; 4 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/221067660403140912163502
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/221067660403140912163502 |
Print ISSN 2210-6766 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 2210-6774 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Schizophrenia and Idiopathic Unconjugated Hyperbilirubinemia (Gilberts Syndrome)
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Label-Free Cell Phenotypic Drug Discovery
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Interaction of Different Proteins with GABA<sub>A</sub> Receptor and their Modulatory Effect on Inhibitory Neural Transmission Leads to Epilepsy
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Inhibitors of Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2): Progress and Promise for the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Clinical Phenotype and Mutation Spectrum of Alzheimer’s Disease with Causative Genetic Mutation in a Chinese Cohort
Current Alzheimer Research Inflammatory Process in Parkinsons Disease: Role for Cytokines
Current Pharmaceutical Design Prolyl Oligopeptidase Structure and Dynamics
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Prospective Role of Polyphenolic Compounds in the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Italian Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AME) and Italian AACE Chapter Position Statement for Clinical Practice: Assessment of Response to Treatment and Follow-Up in Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Technology-Dependent Children: The Chronically Ventilated Child
Current Pediatric Reviews 5-HT1A Receptor, an Old Target for New Therapeutic Agents
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Suramin: Clinical Uses and Structure-Activity Relationships
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Molecular Players at the Intersection of Obesity and Osteoarthritis
Current Drug Targets Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation - An Adjuvant Tool for the Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Diseases?
Current Psychiatry Reviews Sudden Infant Death Syndrome from Epidemiology to Pathophysiology
Current Pediatric Reviews AMPK in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Implications and Therapeutic Perspectives
Current Drug Targets From a Dull Enzyme to Something Else: Facts and Perspectives Regarding Aldose Reductase
Current Medicinal Chemistry Cultivating a Trauma Awareness Culture in the Addictions
Current Drug Abuse Reviews Brain Permeable Nanoparticles
Recent Patents on CNS Drug Discovery (Discontinued) The Role of Sodium Channels in the Mechanism of Action of Antidepressants and Mood Stabilizers
Current Drug Targets