Phobias And Somatic Disorders example essay topic

Women's Phobias and Somatic Symptoms Some psychological symptoms affect only women and some affect both women and men, although almost always in disproportionate numbers. Vast numbers of women suffer with both somatic and phobia symptoms. Through these disorders women let people know that the world is not right. At the same time such symptoms are often hidden.

Certain delibities, those that are not seen as reducing a women's ability to function in the role society has assigned, may even be encouraged in indirect ways; they keep women in their place. Although the stereo-type for women has changed somewhat, the social position of a women still revolves around the sphere of influence and self-expression in the home. Women are often thrown into the position if connecting with others and attending to their needs. This leaves the typical women with a legacy of unmet needs, frustrated desires, deep feelings ofunentitlement, and a fragmented, incomplete sense of themselves.

These experiences in turn generate feelings of anger, despair, and hopelessness. Women unable to reconcile themselves with their confinement attempt to break out. Such attempts may be conscious and purposeful, or unconscious, or both. An unconscious expression of such protest, or desperation often manifests itself in a somatic or phobic symptom. The first psychological disorder is a phobia. A phobic reaction toa particular object or event is terrorizing and fearful experience in which the person feels utterly helpless.

In a sense, one is overwhelmed by unfamiliar sensations and visual distortions. These experiences are so unpleasant that once outside of them the person thinking about them is often unable to imagine that she will survive a repetition of the experience. A women who has a phobic reaction to riding in an elevator, for example, is terrified at the idea of having to enter one and be in one. The idea of having to go through with it paralyzes her and feels absolutely impossible The onset of a phobias usually unexpected. The individual affected usually has had no previous experience of being in psychological distress. Phobia can be experience only one at a time, or many at once.

Some are only infrequently or momentarily disruptive. Phobias can be understood as defense structures. It is just an unhealthy way for a person to cope with their problems. Somatic disorders may pertain to many mental illness, but in women most commonly refer to obsessional anxieties and eating disorders. An obsessive disorder describes the women who for example, before leaving her house may have to return to check thats he has turned off the gas or locked the door, ten times before she feels safe. Another may need to scrub her pots and pans many times before she feels safe that there is no dirt on them.

These symptoms are under no more voluntary control than phobias. Many of these symptoms come about when a woman, consciously or unconsciously feels out of control. She convinces herself that she is okay and that this activity is normal as a reminder of her security. Then there seating disorders. These include compulsive eating, bulimia, and anorexia.

These disorder affect many women and are constantly onthe rise. This is due to the women's traditional social position as a woman's body as a primary asset to the world. For with is she attracts a man who then providers her with a home and a family and social legitimation. A women may unconsciously express her distress through the way she relates to food. Women who eat in such a way are out of touch with their physiological cues that signal hunger and satisfaction. Just as other defenses cover the needy person inside, eating too is a protective mechanism.

This is a serious somatic disorder that can lead to physical disorders later on. Many women suffer from psychological problems such phobias, and somatic disorders. Although with the increasing number of women being less codependent and with jobs of their own, the number of these types of disorders is decreasing. It is important forthe women to have a strong sense of self, and to be confident in herself. These are the consequences if these character flaws avail. However, with the right support these illnesses will soon become obsolete.