Hyperemesis Gravidarum: A Biopsychosocial Perspective

Abstract

The literature on the psychological, social and biological factors in the etiology of hyperemesis gravidarum is reviewed. Four cases seen in the last year in psychiatric consultation in a general hospital are then presented to illustrate and highlight the biopsychosocial factors in the literature that seemed most relevant to diagnosis and treatment. Emphasis is placed on the concept of hyperemesis gravidarum as a special type of somatization (an illness behavior in which dysphoric affect is expressed with physical symptoms), whereby physical symptoms are expressed to elicit care by physicians and family and to gain a "time out" from stressful home environments.