Question 1

Some theorists believe that somatic symptom disorders result from changes in

Accepted Answer

All of these factors - perception, control, and attention - can contribute to the development of somatic symptom disorders. Somatic symptoms are often experienced subjectively, so changes in perception can influence the severity or frequency of symptoms. Feelings of loss of control, such as in response to stress or trauma, may also contribute to the development of somatic symptoms. Additionally, excessive attention to bodily sensations or preoccupation with health can exacerbate somatic symptoms.

Question 2

Two problem areas in somatic symptom disorder causation are

Accepted Answer

Somatic symptom disorder involves excessive concern and attention towards physical symptoms, leading to impairment in functioning. This excessive focus can lead to sensory misperception and overattending to minor body changes, thus fueling the disorder. The other options such as erratic breathing or delusions of stroke/heart attack may occur as part of the disorder, but they are not considered problem areas in causation. Option D may be a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder, which can co-occur with somatic symptom disorder but is not an inherent problem area in its causation.

Question 3

Genetics likely play a(n) role in explaining somatic symptom disorders.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Genetics likely play a(n) role in explaining...

Question 4

Sylvia enjoys and appreciates the attention and sympathy she receives when she complains of pain and discomfort. As a somatic symptom disorder risk factor, this would be considered an example of

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement refers to the act of receiving positive attention or rewards for exhibiting a particular behavior, which increases the likelihood of repeating that behavior. In this case, Sylvia's complaints of pain and discomfort are reinforced by the attention and sympathy she receives, making it more likely for her to continue making such complaints.

Question 5

Some individuals who live in a part of the world plagued by warfare and massacre might tend to show somatic symptoms such as blindness as an adaptive way to signal to others that they are not a threat.This type of explanation for a conversion disorder's occurrence is considered in nature.

Accepted Answer

The explanation given suggests an evolutionary perspective, which would suggest that the somatic symptoms serve an adaptive function in signaling to others that the individual is not a threat.

Question 6

Some people may find it easier to concentrate on minor bodily changes than a major life stressor such as

Accepted Answer

All of these options are considered major life stressors, as they can significantly impact an individual's daily life and productivity. While some individuals may find it easier to focus on minor bodily changes, it is important to acknowledge and address these larger stressors in order to effectively manage them.

Question 7

Biological evidence suggests that people with somatic symptom disorders have brain changes that lead to

Accepted Answer

People with somatic symptom disorders often experience distractibility due to altered brain functioning, which affects their ability to focus and process information effectively.

Question 8

The unconscious use of physical symptoms to reduce psychological distress would be an example of

Accepted Answer

Primary gain refers to the unconscious use of physical symptoms to reduce psychological distress, as it allows the individual to avoid confronting the psychological issue directly.

Question 9

Changes that occur in the may help explain why many somatic complaints tend to be on the left side of the body.

Accepted Answer

The right hemisphere is responsible for sensory and motor control of the left side of the body. Therefore, changes in the right hemisphere may contribute to somatic complaints being more commonly reported on the left side of the body.

Question 10

In people with somatic symptom disorders, there is a disruption occurring in communications between the and the ____.

Accepted Answer

Somatic symptom disorders involve a disruption in communication between the brain and the body, leading to physical symptoms without a clear medical explanation.

Question 11

Receiving social reinforcement for somatic complaints may be referred to as

Accepted Answer

Secondary gain refers to the external advantages or reinforcements that a person receives from having a symptom or illness, such as attention, sympathy, or avoidance of responsibilities.

Question 12

Cognitive factors related to somatic symptom disorders include

Accepted Answer

Cognitive factors related to somatic symptom disorders include illness attributions (interpreting bodily sensations as signs of illness or disease) and somatosensory awareness (a heightened sensitivity to bodily sensations). Psychological attribution such as stress may also play a role but is not the only factor. Over concern for minor symptoms and faking illness are not cognitive factors but rather behavioral and intentional factors. Physiological numbness and insensitivity are not associated with somatic symptom disorders.

Question 13

In people with somatic symptom disorder, decreased blood flow may occur in areas of the and other areas of the brain that are related to loss of sensory and motor functions as seen in conversion disorder.

Accepted Answer

The prefrontal cortex is involved in higher cognitive functions, decision-making, and emotional regulation, which can be impaired in individuals with somatic symptom disorder. Decreased blood flow in this area may contribute to these impairments.

Answer: D
 The hindbrain includes the brainstem and cerebellum, which are involved in controlling basic bodily functions such as breathing and movement. In individuals with conversion disorder, loss of sensory and motor functions can occur, possibly due to decreased blood flow to these areas.

Question 14

Youths with somatic symptom disorder are often , and their parents are of socioeconomic status and education level.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that somatic symptom disorder is more prevalent among females and is associated with lower socioeconomic status and lower education levels.

Question 15

Environmental risk factors are likely to affect people with somatoform disorders, especially those preoccupied with

Accepted Answer

People with somatoform disorders are often preoccupied with the fear of having a serious disease, despite there being little or no medical evidence to support such a diagnosis. Environmental risk factors, such as exposure to illnesses, pollution or toxins, and stressful life events, may increase this preoccupation and exacerbate somatic symptoms. Sexuality, social status, or academic standing are not directly related to somatoform disorders.

Question 16

Neuroimaging evidence indicates the possibility of related to somatic symptom disorders.

Accepted Answer

Neuroimaging studies have shown that changes in blood flow in specific brain areas, such as the insula and anterior cingulate cortex, are associated with somatic symptom disorders. This suggests that there may be alterations in brain processes related to interoception (the perception of bodily sensations) in individuals with these disorders. Disruptions in neurotransmitters or ventricle enlargement with tissue atrophy are not typically associated specifically with somatic symptom disorders. Multiple small tremors are also not a well-established finding in this population.

Question 17

Stressful life events relate closely to the of conversion disorder symptoms.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Stressful life events relate closely to the...

Question 18

Ronda has a somatic symptom disorder.She complains constantly of headaches, but no medical explanation can be found.In fact, Ronda's head does not actually hurt, but she interprets any sensation in her head as a headache and sign of a serious medical problem.This is an example of the role of in causing a somatic symptom disorder.Some people with somatoform disorder misinterpret sensory experiences as real and dangerous symptoms of a serious medical problem.

Accepted Answer

Misperception refers to the misinterpretation of sensory experiences as real and dangerous symptoms of a serious medical problem. This is a common characteristic of somatic symptom disorders.

Question 19

Key aspects of the brain that are related to somatic symptom disorders include all of the following EXCEPT the

Accepted Answer

The medulla and pons are not typically associated with somatic symptom disorders, whereas the other options are all key brain regions that have been linked to the experience and modulation of physical symptoms. The amygdala and limbic system are involved in emotional processing, the hypothalamus is important for regulating autonomic and endocrine function, the cingulate is involved in pain perception and regulation, and the prefrontal and somatosensory cortices are key regions for sensory and cognitive processing.

Question 20

Illness behavior is a key concept of somatic symptom disorders.Which of the following is NOT a type of illness behavior as described in the textbook?

Accepted Answer

Resting in bed, seeing a physician, and taking medication are all examples of illness behaviors, as they reflect actions taken in response to physical symptoms or concerns about health. Practicing la belle indifference, however, is not considered an illness behavior. La belle indifference refers to the seemingly unconcerned or indifferent attitude that some individuals with somatic symptom disorders exhibit toward their physical symptoms, rather than an active behavior or response.

Quiz 6: Somatoform and Dissociative Disorders