Question 1

Somatization, conversion disorder, pain disorder, and hypochondriasis are all classified by DSM-IV-TR as

Accepted Answer

These four disorders are all classified as somatoform disorders in the DSM-IV-TR. Somatoform disorders are characterized by physical symptoms that cannot be fully explained by a medical condition or substance use, and are often associated with psychological distress or dysfunction.

Question 2

Which term describes physical symptoms and disability in the absence of physical disease?

Accepted Answer

Somatoform disorders are characterized by physical symptoms that cannot be attributed to an underlying physical disease. These symptoms often lead to disability and distress but do not have a clear biological basis. Examples include somatic symptom disorder and conversion disorder. Factitious disorder involves intentionally faking or inducing physical symptoms for attention or other secondary gain. Psychosomatic disorders refer to the connection between physical symptoms and psychological factors such as stress or anxiety. Gastrointestinal merely describes a bodily system and does not specifically relate to this type of disorder.

Question 3

Clients with medically unexplained symptoms account for what percent of problems confronted daily?

Accepted Answer

D

Question 4

All of the following are symptoms of pain disorder except:

Accepted Answer

Pain disorder does not require bodily injury to be present.

Question 5

What are the two categories of pain disorder listed in DSM-IV-TR?

Accepted Answer

The DSM-IV-TR categorizes pain disorders into acute and chronic based on the duration of the pain experienced by the individual.

Question 6

Which of the following is one of the criteria for the diagnosis of pain disorder?

Accepted Answer

One of the criteria for the diagnosis of pain disorder is that the pain and deficits related to it are not intentionally produced or feigned. This means that the individual is not faking or exaggerating the pain for secondary gain, such as attention or compensation. The other options (A, B, and D) are not correct as they are not criteria for the diagnosis of pain disorder.

Question 7

What analogy did Descartes use in order to help in conceptualizing pain?

Accepted Answer

Descartes used the analogy of an individual pulling the rope at the bottom of a tower causing the bell in the belfry to ring to help conceptualize how pain signals are sent from the periphery of the body to the brain, illustrating the mechanical and direct nature of sensory transmission in his view.

Question 8

For several years, Ted has had back pain that is sufficiently severe that he has not been able to work. Nevertheless, physicians do not believe that the pain is as severe as one would believe from Ted's reaction. They have come to believe that Ted's presentation of his pain symptoms is related to his family's response. What term do physicians use for this phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

The term for this phenomenon is "secondary gain," which refers to a situation in which a person's symptoms or illness provide some type of tangible benefit, such as attention or support from family members. In Ted's case, his family's reaction to his pain may be reinforcing his behavior and making it more difficult for him to make progress in managing his symptoms.

Question 9

Tomas has been given a diagnosis of pain disorder. His therapist wants to focus on pain behaviors and that conditions have a positive or negative effect on the behaviors. What approach will the therapist implement?

Accepted Answer

Operant conditioning focuses on how the consequences of a behavior affect the likelihood of that behavior's occurrence in the future. In the context of treating pain disorder, the therapist aims to modify pain behaviors by reinforcing behaviors that lead to positive outcomes (e.g., increased activity, social engagement) and discouraging behaviors that lead to negative outcomes (e.g., withdrawal, inactivity). This approach is based on the principle that behaviors that are rewarded or reinforced are more likely to be repeated, while behaviors that are punished or not reinforced are less likely to be repeated.

Question 10

Frank has learned from his father that if he displays pain-like symptoms, he will receive attention. Frank has recently married and wants his wife to help manage his pain. She has refused to accept this responsibility. What approach could help Frank?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) can help Frank by addressing the learned behavior of displaying pain-like symptoms for attention and teaching him healthier ways to communicate and manage his needs.

Question 11

What have studies of the Yogi practitioner, Swami Rama, revealed concerning his claimed abilities to control bodily functions?

Accepted Answer

Studies have revealed that Swami Rama was able to consciously control his bodily functions previously thought to be involuntary, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature, through the practice of yoga and meditation. This shows that "involuntary" physical processes can indeed be consciously controlled with training and practice.

Question 12

While reading an interview with Swami Rama, you are struck by some of his claims. You tell a friend about the Swami and when asked for an example of one of the claims, what will you say?

Accepted Answer

The answer of While reading an interview with Swami Rama,...

Question 13

Your friend tells you about a news report on a form of therapy in which people are given information about their physiological state in the form of electronic signals. What is the likely topic of this report?

Accepted Answer

The therapy described in the news report is biofeedback, which is a technique that uses electronic monitoring equipment to provide individuals with information about their physiological state (such as heart rate or muscle tension) in order to help them learn to control these bodily processes.

Question 14

What is one of the limitations of biofeedback?

Accepted Answer

One of the limitations of biofeedback is that its effectiveness tends to drop after training stops.

Question 15

Phil would like to learn to control his heart rate and blood pressure. After carefully reading the literature, what has he determined he will need to accomplish his goal?

Accepted Answer

In order for Phil to learn to control his heart rate and blood pressure, he will need information about the state of the target system. This information will allow him to monitor his heart rate and blood pressure and make adjustments to his technique as needed. While techniques such as yoga may help, they are not necessary for achieving this goal. Electrical or chemical stimulation and external reinforcement such as food are not appropriate methods for controlling heart rate and blood pressure.

Question 16

Michael is always complaining of a long list of aches, pains, and other symptoms. He focuses on slight changes in his heartbeat, is convinced he always has a fever, and frequently sees a physician. What is Michael's most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Michael's symptoms suggest somatization disorder, which is characterized by the presence of multiple, recurrent, and often chronic physical symptoms that have no apparent medical cause. This condition is often associated with anxiety or depression, and individuals with somatization disorder often excessively worry about their health and seek medical attention frequently.

Question 17

What is another name for Briquet's syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Briquet's syndrome is also known as somatization disorder.

Question 18

Which disorder is often associated with unnecessary surgeries?

Accepted Answer

Somatization disorder is a condition in which a person experiences physical symptoms that have no apparent physical cause. This can often lead to unnecessary surgeries as the person becomes convinced that there is a physical problem that needs to be fixed through surgery.

Question 19

Jessica constantly complains of a long list of physical symptoms that do not center around one particular ailment. After finding no medical explanation for her symptoms, a physician suspects Jessica suffers from

Accepted Answer

Somatization disorder is characterized by multiple, recurrent, and long-term physical complaints that have no identifiable medical cause. Jessica's experience of a long list of physical symptoms without a specific ailment or medical explanation fits the description of somatization disorder.

Question 20

Multiple somatic symptoms that are chronic and presented in a very dramatic and vague fashion are found in

Accepted Answer

Somatization disorder is characterized by multiple, recurrent, and long-term somatic symptoms that are not fully explained by medical conditions. These symptoms are often presented in a dramatic and vague manner, leading to significant distress and impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

Quiz 7: Disorders of Bodily Preoccupation