Catherine Connally is a 48 year-old woman who has quite an attractive fair and freckled complexion. Unfortunately, she has a strong family history of skin cancer and remembers her grandmother's tragic death from untreated melanoma. Over the past few years, Catherine has started visiting her dermatologist every few weeks to be evaluated for skin cancer. She is preoccupied with the presentation of the freckles on different parts of her body and worries over the smallest patch of dry skin This serves as evidence for Catherine that she has a form of skin cancer. She is constantly checking her face, eyes, and ears despite not having any discoloration, changes in the size of her freckles of concern), sores or bleeding, or other somatic symptoms. She does have a history of an anxiety disorder. Would be the most likely diagnosis to consider for Catherine?
A)Somatic symptom disorder
B)Factitious disorder
C)Illness anxiety disorder
D)Generalized anxiety disorder
True/False Questions:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Catherine's preoccupation with potential skin cancer despite lacking any actual physical symptoms is indicative of illness anxiety disorder. This disorder involves excessive worry and concern about having a serious illness, despite little or no physical evidence to support the concern. Additionally, Catherine's history of anxiety disorder supports a diagnosis of illness anxiety disorder, rather than somatic symptom disorder or factitious disorder, which do not necessarily involve anxiety. Generalized anxiety disorder may also involve excessive worry, but its focus is more on everyday stressors rather than illness specifically.

True/False Questions:
1. Catherine's family history of skin cancer is not relevant to her current concerns about her skin.
False - Catherine's family history of skin cancer is a significant factor in her preoccupation with skin cancer.
2. Catherine's frequent visits to her dermatologist are indicative of somatic symptom disorder.
False - Catherine's visits to her dermatologist are an appropriate and responsible measure for someone with her family history and concerns about skin cancer. They do not necessarily indicate somatic symptom disorder.
3. Factitious disorder involves intentionally producing physical symptoms for psychological reasons.
True - Factitious disorder involves pretending to have or intentionally producing physical symptoms for the purpose of gaining attention or sympathy. 
4. Generalized anxiety disorder often involves excessive worry about illness or health.
False - While individuals with generalized anxiety disorder may worry about health, their worry is typically focused on a variety of everyday stressors rather than specifically on health concerns.

Catherine Connally Is a 48 Year-Old Woman Who Has Quite