Amplification (psychology)
Amplification is used to describe a judged tendency of a person to amplify physical symptoms based on psychological factors such as
highly sensitive person trait. In one instance where amplification is used as a handle or point of reference or diagnosis it is said "somatosensory amplification refers to the tendency to experience somatic sensation as intense, noxious, and disturbing. What may be a minor 'twinge' or mild 'soreness' to the stoic, is a severe, consuming pain to the amplifier."[1]
Psychological state has been documented to affect the course of upper respiratory tract infection,[2][3] post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome,[4] and musculoskeletal pain.[5]
Amplification is not recognized by the American Psychiatric Association.
The somatosensory amplification scale (SAS) has been validated to measure amplification.[1] The scale contains four items measured with a five-item Likert scale:
- Sudden loud noises really disturb me
- I'm very uncomfortable when I'm in a place that is too hot or too cold
- I can't stand pain as well as most people can
- I find I'm often aware of various things happening in my body
- I'm quick to sense the hunger contractions in my stomach
Amplification is related to
See also
- Alexithymia
- Somatisation