Biomedical subjects

Ingvard Wilhelmsen

Publications and source records attributed to Ingvard Wilhelmsen.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Biological sensitisation and psychological amplification: gateways to subjective health complaints and somatoform disorders.

Subjective health complaints without known physical pathology are common and might develop into somatoform disorders. Normalization of neuroticism and anxiety in patients with duodenal ulcer disease after a relapse-free state is acquired and maintained is an indication that biological factors influence psychological factors. Recent research has shown that psychological and behavioural changes, on the other hand, have the capacity to change the brain. Visceral hyperalgesia is an example of biological sensitisation, but the abnormal sensory perception can be normalised by hypnotherapy. The dual-etiology hypothesis of functional somatic syndromes implies that in some patients with somatoform disorders there is a predominant biological etiology, whereas in others there is a predominant psychological etiology. The theory is supported by recent research, and may result in better handling of patients. Cognitive factors like catastrofising amplifies subjective physical symptoms and emotions effect the perception of them. In preventive health care the following slogans are proposed as antidotes preventing subjective health complaints form developing into somatoform disorders: Do not listen to your body's signals! Do not trust your feelings! Do not trust your thoughts!

Health↗

PubMed2002

[Hypochondriasis and cognitive therapy].

BACKGROUND: Hypochondriasis is an annoying disorder. Diagnostic criteria for primary and secondary hypochondriasis as well as comorbidity are explained. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Some studies of prevalence, aetiology and treatment are reviewed. Special emphasis is given to the cognitive model. RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION: The prevalence of primary hypochondriasis in population studies is around 1%, while the prevalence in medical outpatient clinics is 3-4.5%. Several controlled, clinical studies have found positive effect of cognitive-behavioural therapy. Excessive health anxiety that is secondary to depression disappears when the primary disorder is treated. Controlled clinical trials of medication is lacking. Traditionally, hypochondriasis has been considered a difficult diagnosis to present to the patient and hard to treat. Research has increased our knowledge and understanding of the disease, and structured treatment protocols have led to a well founded optimism concerning prognosis. Central themes in the consultations are the question of life and death, interpretation of subjective somatic symptoms and the ability to make decisions when still in doubt.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy↗

PubMed2002

[Disease anxiety among medical students and law students].

BACKGROUND: Medical students and other people with knowledge about health and disease are often thought to have more anxiety about their health than others. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 80 medical students and 100 law students were asked to fill in a questionnaire designed to identify higher disease anxiety (Whiteley Index). A high total score on the Whiteley Index indicates high disease anxiety. 62 medical students (78%) and 70 law students (70%) returned the questionnaire in an anonymous form. RESULTS: Medical students had lower total score compared with law students (p < 0.01). One medical student and six law students had a total score susceptible of hypochondriasis. Male students had a non-significantly higher mean total score than female students. Those with depressive mood (n = 5), had higher total score than the others (p < 0.01.) Those who had experienced disease in their family (n = 83) tended to have lower total score. INTERPRETATION: Medical students have less disease anxiety than law students, contrary to what is often believed.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Somatization, sensitization, and functional dyspepsia.

Functional dysepsia (FD) is defined as persistent or recurrent pain or discomfort centered in the upper abdomen without evidence of organic disease likely to explain the symptoms. Visceral hypersensitivity, motor dysfunction, and impaired gastric accommodation are found in some patients with FD, and psychological factors like chronic stress, attention and perception bias are also likely to play a part in the symptom formation. There is considerable overlap of non-specific symptoms like fatigue, headache, abdominal discomfort, muscle pain, and sleep disturbance in patients with different functional disorders, in this article exemplified by FD, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome. This overlap of symptoms indicates a common underlying sensitization process, leading to somatization.

Dyspepsia↗