Lillian sees her doctor nearly every week, and each time she has something different that is bothering her. Two weeks ago she had back pains, last week she had shortness of breath, and this week she has abdominal cramps. If Lillian has a psychological disorder, rather than an actual physical disorder, her symptoms are most consistent with

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Somatization disorder is characterized by recurrent and multiple physical complaints that have no apparent medical cause or explanation. These individuals often seek medical attention frequently for various symptoms, which can often shift or change from week to week. This is consistent with Lillian's behavior, as she has had different physical complaints each time she sees her doctor. Hypochondriasis, on the other hand, involves excessive worry and fear about having a serious illness despite medical reassurance that one is not present, and conversion disorder involves neurological symptoms such as paralysis or blindness without any underlying medical cause. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is not related to physical complaints.

Lillian Sees Her Doctor Nearly Every Week, and Each Time