In the last six months Shelly has visited her physician ten times to complain of numerous physical symptoms. The physician has been unable to find a physical cause for her symptoms. What category of psychological disorders is the physician likely to suspect Shelly exhibits?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Shelly's numerous physical symptoms without a physical cause suggest a somatoform disorder, which is characterized by physical symptoms that cannot be explained by a medical condition. Anxiety and dissociative disorders may also involve physical symptoms, but there is no mention of other psychological symptoms that typically accompany these disorders. Psychophysiological disorders involve an interaction between psychological factors and physical symptoms, but there is no indication that Shelly's physical symptoms are related to stress or other psychological factors.

In the Last Six Months Shelly Has Visited Her Physician