260 Chapter 6

body dysmorphia disorder (BDD)

somatoform disorder featuring a disruptive reoccupation with some imagined defect in appearance

compulsions

repetitive, ritualistic, time-consuming behaviours or mental acts a person feels driven to perform

conversion disorders

physical malfunctions, such as blindness or paralysis, suggesting neurological impairment, with no organic pathology to account for it

excoriation

recurrent, difficult-to-control picking of one's skin leading to significant impairment or distress

factitious disorders

nonexistent physical or psychological disorders deliberately faked for no apparent gain except possibly sympathy and attention

illness anxiety disorder

involves severe anxiety over belief in having a disease without any evident physical cause

malingering

deliberate faking of a physical or psychological disorder motivated by gain

obsessions

recurrent intrusive thoughts or impulses the client seeks to suppress or neutralize while recognizing they are not imposed by outside forces

obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

anxiety disorder involving unwanted, persistent, intrusive thoughts and impulses as well as repetitive actions intended to suppress them

psychological factors affecting medical condition

somatic condition in which a psychological characteristic affects a diagnosed medical condition, such as asthma being exacerbated by anxiety

somatic symptom disorders

disorders involving extreme and long-lasting focus on multiple physical symptoms for which no medical cause is evident

trichotillomania

people's urge to pull out their own hair from anywhere on the body, including the scalp, eyebrows, and arms