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Psychophysiological Disorders

Psychophysiological Disorders. Thomas G. Bowers, Ph.D. Penn State Harrisburg . Psychophysiological Disorders. Relatively new field of health psychology Refers to physical symptoms or diseases that are caused by or worsen by psychological factors

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Psychophysiological Disorders

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  1. Psychophysiological Disorders Thomas G. Bowers, Ph.D. Penn State Harrisburg

  2. Psychophysiological Disorders • Relatively new field of health psychology • Refers to physical symptoms or diseases that are caused by or worsen by psychological factors • Formally referred to as psychosomatic disorders

  3. Psychophysiological Disorders • In contrast to hypochrondrical and conversion disorders, there is often physiological damage to the body • Also tends to be involuntary

  4. Psychophysiological Disorders • Some examples • 1. Asthma • 2. Hypertension • 3. Gastritis • 4. Irritable bowel syndrome • 5. Headaches

  5. Psychophysiological Disorders • New fields developing • Behavioral Medicine • Health Psychology

  6. Psychophysiological Disorders • Important Concepts • Stress • Selye (1936) • General adaptation syndrome (GAS) • Described biological adaptation to prolonged sustained physical stress

  7. Cardiovascular Disorders • Frequent source of morbidity and mortality • Essential hypertension • “High blood pressure” • 90% is “essential” • Not attributable to physical cause • Many are unaware of the difficulty

  8. Cardiovascular Disorders • Essential hypertension • systolic/diastolic • 120/80 mm hg • Must be elevated over a period of time - Repeated physician visits

  9. Cardiovascular Disorders • Essential hypertension • Associated with renal failure, increased risk of stroke, artherosclerosis, myocardial infarction (heart attack) • Could be triggered by chronic restriction of renal blood flow, calcification of arteries, inelasticity of vascular system

  10. Cardiovascular Disorders • Flight or fight response to adrenal stimulation • Rapid, but brief increase in respiration, heart rate, increased blood supply to extremities, reduced blood supply to torso. • Blood pressure temporarily increases • Why does this increase become permanent?

  11. Cardiovascular Disorders • Stress - Unexpressed Hostility Link • Hokanson and associates • Frustration has blood pressure increase • Opportunity to express aggression or anger yields blood pressure decrease

  12. Cardiovascular Disorders • Risk Factors • Diatheses models • Isolation is a risk factor • Sensitivity to salt • Family history • Lack of exercise • Smoking • Obesity

  13. Cardiovascular Disorders • Coronary Heart Disease • 1. Angina pectoris - periodic chest pains • 2. Myocardial infarction - heart attack

  14. Cardiovascular Disorders • Coronary Heart Disease • Risk factors • 1. Age • 2. Sex (males higher risk) • 3. Cigarette use • 4. Hypertension • 5. Serum cholesterol • 6. EKG abnormalities • 7. Diabetes

  15. Cardiovascular Disorders • Coronary Heart Disease • Behavioral Factors • Type A behaviors • Intense, competitive, driven • Urgency, aggressiveness, hostility • Associated with CHD

  16. Asthma • Tightness in chest, wheezes, coughs, possible panic • Emotionality often implicated • Irritants also play an important factor • Some allergies • Commonly associated with infections

  17. Psychotherapy for Psychophysiological Disorders • Progressive relaxation training • May include yoga, mediation and similar methods • Biofeedback • Effective, but some evidence of placebo effects as well

  18. Psychotherapy for Psychophysiological Disorders • Behavioral interventions • Weight management • Exercise encouragement • Smoking cessation • Psychoanalytic methods • Have actually been demonstrated to reduce blood pressure

  19. Psychotherapy for Psychophysiological Disorders • Cognitive therapies • Not as thoroughly researched to date • Some data suggests affective expression, managing thoughts and so on are helpful • Management of Type A behavior • Stress Management • Also includes social skill training • Environmental changes

  20. Medical Conditions Affected By Psychological Factors • Many complex, difficult to treat disorders • Includes diabetes, hypertension, renal disease, many neurological disorders • Psychoneuroimmunology • Positive spirit and outlook associated with survival • Uncertain why this may be the case

  21. Medical Conditions Affected By Psychological Factors • Breast cancer • Remarkably high incidence in western societies • Early detection is very important • Text describes breast self exam method fairly well

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