Somatization in adolescence with reference to dysmorphophobia.
An adolescent male obtained a position in a large business with assistance from others. Initially he had tension headaches due to maladjustment. He then showed signs of dysmorphophobic symptoms, expressed as a dissatisfaction with his nose. Subsequently, he had cosmetic rhinoplasty twice for esthetic reasons. After a few years, he presented with a psychosis. During treatment his symptoms developed into headache and fever that disappeared upon recovery. He was therefore able to seek employment independently. This transition of symptoms assumes an aspect of adolescent mentality and presents a trial and error approach to establishing a social identity. In general, somatization is assumed to be an immature defense mechanism of individual psychopathology. However, somatization may be a sign of an improvement in one's health. Somatization in adolescence may also be a sign of the beginning of a reintegration into society and have a bridging functional aspect that induces socialization in adulthood.
Ohya
D
D
Department of Neuropsychiatry, Kansai Medical University, Moriguchi, Japan.
Matsumoto
I
I
Saito
M
M
D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012649:Self Concept; D012951:Socialization; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000523:psychology*