Somatische Symptoom Stoornissen
Full course description
Mind and body are closely interconnected. It is assumed that psychological factors contribute to the onset, exacerbation and maintenance of problems that have a physical or somatic expression. This course focuses on somatic symptom and related disorders, which are characterized by the experience of physical symptoms for which no direct relation with an underlying medical or neurological condition can be demonstrated.
Besides studying the diagnostic criteria and symptomatology of somatic symptom and related disorders, this course deals with underlying etiological models, explanatory theories and mechanisms, and treatment options. The main focus of this course is on the psychological backgrounds of somatoform disorders, however, specific attention will also be devoted to the social and biological factors that help to explain somatoform disorders. Furthermore, students will get acquainted with recent evolutions in (multidisciplinary) treatment techniques for somatic symptom and related disorders, including third wave CBT and positive psychology techniques, biofeedback, hypnotic techniques etc...
The course consists of weekly PBL group meetings (2 hours each), complemented with plenary interactive lectures or workshops.
Course objectives
After completion of the course, students will be able to translate their knowledge on somatic symptom disorders to a broad audience. They will be able to identify similarities between the different types of somatoform disorders, and to relate somatic symptom disorders to the biopsychosocial model. Students can communicate about somatic symptom disorders within a multidisciplinary context and are able to communicate with colleagues and patients about somatic symptom disorders in an appropriate fashion. Students will gain knowledge of and insight in the theories on development and course of somatic symptom disorders; in particular:
- the diagnostic criteria (DSM-V and other criteria) and symptomatology for different prevalent somatic symptom disorders;
- psychological explanatory models of somatic symptom and related disorders;
- the biopsychosocial model as a basic explanatory model for somatic symptom disorders, emphasizing:
- interactions between psychological, biological and social influences
- psychological, biological, and social background, theories and factors.
- The treatment options for somatic symptom disorders, with specific emphasis on:
- CBT and exposure therapy
- third wave CBT and positive psychology techniques