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Personality styles of patients asserting environmental illness
S J Rosenberg1, M R Freedman, K B Schmaling
1Department of Medicine, National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Denver, CO 80206.
Journal of Occupational Medicine. : Official Publication of the Industrial Medical Association
|August 1, 1990
Summary
Many patients with environmental illness may have psychiatric issues, but viewing them only as somatizers can harm the doctor-patient relationship. Recognizing obsessive/paranoid traits is key for effective medical explanations and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Environmental Medicine
- Psychosomatic Medicine
Background:
- Patients reporting environmental illness often present with psychiatric difficulties, frequently diagnosed as somatization disorder.
- A solely somatization-focused approach may negatively impact the therapeutic doctor-patient relationship.
- This study differentiates between somatizing and obsessive/paranoid presentations in environmental illness patients.
Observation:
- Environmental illness patients may exhibit obsessive/paranoid personality traits, seeking medical validation for physical symptoms.
- Contrasting clinical presentations reveal distinct patterns between hysteric/somatizing patients and those with an obsessive/paranoid style.
- A case report with psychological testing data further illustrates these differences.
Findings:
- Distinguishing between somatization disorder and obsessive/paranoid styles in environmental illness patients is crucial.
- Patients with environmental illness may present with somatization or obsessive/paranoid characteristics.
- The study highlights the importance of recognizing these distinct patient profiles.
Implications:
- Tailoring treatment to the specific psychological profile (somatizing vs. obsessive/paranoid) can improve patient outcomes.
- Understanding these distinctions can enhance the doctor-patient relationship and therapeutic alliance.
- This nuanced approach may lead to more effective management strategies for patients with perceived environmental illnesses.