Question 1

Which of the following is a diagnostic feature of conversion disorder?
A) The symptoms are restricted to complaints of pain or problems in sexual functioning
B) The bodily symptoms match the medical conditions they suggest
C) The loss of physical functioning suggests the presence of a physical disorder
D) The symptoms involved involuntary motor movements and autonomic nervous system functions.

Accepted Answer

The loss of physical functioning in conversion disorder suggests the presence of a physical disorder, but no physical basis can be found. This is a key diagnostic feature, distinguishing it from actual neurological disorders.

Question 2

Münchausen syndrome is an example of a(n) ______ disorder.
A) dissociative
B) adjustment
C) factitious
D) conversion

Accepted Answer

Münchausen syndrome is a factitious disorder in which an individual feigns or induces physical or psychological symptoms to gain attention and sympathy from others.

Question 3

Epilepsy, blindness, paralysis, problems in coordination, and loss of the sense of hearing or smell are all "classic" symptoms of ______.
A) hypochondriasis
B) malingering
C) somatization disorder
D) conversion disorder

Accepted Answer

The classic symptoms listed are all examples of conversion disorder, which is a type of somatic symptom disorder where individuals experience physical symptoms without an apparent medical explanation. Conversion disorder often involves neurological symptoms such as seizures, blindness, and paralysis. Hypochondriasis and malingering involve conscious or unconscious fabrication of symptoms, while somatization disorder involves the presence of multiple unexplained physical symptoms over a long period of time.

Question 4

Conversion disorder was formerly called _______.
A) manic-depression
B) hebephrenic disorder
C) hysterical neurosis
D) cataplexy

Accepted Answer

Conversion disorder was formerly called hysterical neurosis. The other options are not related to conversion disorder.

Question 5

When a person feigns an illness but is not consciously doing it for any specific motivation they might be suffering from __________.
A) hypochondriasis
B) conversion disorder
C) somatization disorder
D) factitious disorder

Accepted Answer

Factitious disorder involves feigning illness without conscious motivation, unlike malingering where there is a clear external incentive.

Question 6

Tonya is admitted to the hospital covered in blood. She reports that she has been bleeding uncontrollably from her mouth. Later, a nurse finds a syringe filled with blood thinner among Tonya's personal items in the hospital room. Tonya denies that the syringe is hers. The syringe is not made by a company the hospital uses. This fact leads hospital staff to wonder if, rather than having a valid illness, Tonya has a DSM-5 mental disorder called__________.
A) factitious disorder imposed on another
B) factitious disorder on self
C) delusional disorder
D) hysterical personality disorder

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described suggest that Tonya may be experiencing a factitious disorder on herself, also known as Munchausen syndrome. This disorder involves intentionally making oneself appear sick or injured in order to receive attention or sympathy from others. The presence of the syringe adds to the suspicion that Tonya may be intentionally causing her own symptoms.

Question 7

John has been under a lot of stress at work lately. One morning he awakens to find he is totally blind. His physician can find nothing physically wrong with his eyes, and John appears to
Have no trouble maneuvering around the furniture in the physician's office. John is not
Consciously faking and swears he cannot see. John is suffering from ______.
A) somatization disorder
B) conversion disorder
C) hypochondriasis
D) Munchausen syndrome

Accepted Answer

John is experiencing conversion disorder, where psychological stress is converted into physical symptoms. In this case, his stress is manifested as blindness, despite no physical impairment in his eyes. Somatization disorder involves multiple physical symptoms with no apparent physical cause, while hypochondriasis involves a preoccupation with fears of having a serious illness. Munchausen syndrome involves the intentional feigning or creation of physical symptoms for attention or gain.

Question 8

Conversion disorder has been linked to ______.
A) parental illness
B) a rigid moral upbringing
C) childhood sexual and physical abuse
D) sibling rivalry

Accepted Answer

Conversion disorder, also called functional neurological symptom disorder, has been linked to childhood trauma, including sexual and physical abuse. Other risk factors may include a history of repetitive losses or an undiagnosed medical condition. There is no evidence to suggest that parental illness, a rigid moral upbringing, or sibling rivalry are direct causes of conversion disorder.

Question 9

Conversion disorder is called_______in the DSM-5.
A) manic-depression
B) hebephrenic disorder
C) functional neurological symptom disorder
D) cataplexy

Accepted Answer

Conversion disorder was previously classified as a somatoform disorder in the DSM-IV, but in DSM-5, it is now categorized as a functional neurological symptom disorder. This change reflects an updated understanding of the condition's underlying processes and highlights the importance of differentiating between neurological disorders with a clear organic basis and those that arise due to psychological and social factors. Options A, B, and D are not relevant to conversion disorder.

Question 10

Unlike malingerers, people with factitious disorders are classified in DSM-5 because ______.
A) their numbers are growing while the number of malingerers has dramatically decreased
B) malingerers are male by definition and DSM-5 excludes single gender disorders
C) they lack a specific motivation for gain from their symptoms
D) they must also have a comorbid anxiety or mood disorder for the diagnosis to be utilized

Accepted Answer

People with factitious disorders do not have a specific motivation for gain from their symptoms, whereas malingerers are motivated by external incentives (such as financial gain). This is why factitious disorder is classified in DSM-5, despite the decreasing numbers of malingerers. The other options (A, B, and D) are all incorrect reasons for why factitious disorder is included in DSM-5.

Question 11

Peter has been under a lot of stress at work lately. One morning he awakens to find he is totally blind. At his physician's office, Peter says he is upset by the loss of his eyesight, but
He appears to be totally calm about it. He doesn't seem to be nearly as upset as one would
Normally expect for someone who has just lost his eyesight. Peter's lack of emotional
Reaction is an example of ______.
A) malingering
B) emotional compensation
C) la belle indifférence
D) Munchausen syndrome

Accepted Answer

Peter's lack of emotional reaction in the face of a significant loss is an example of la belle indifférence, which is a term used to describe a seemingly indifferent or apathetic response to an illness or disability that would normally elicit a strong emotional reaction. This can be seen in certain neurological and psychiatric disorders such as conversion disorder, where physical symptoms arise in the absence of an organic cause.

Question 12

One change in the DSM-5 is that conversion disorder is called which of the following?
A) functional neurological symptom disorder
B) malingering disorder
C) illness anxiety disorder
D) hypochondriasis

Accepted Answer

Conversion disorder was renamed as functional neurological symptom disorder in the DSM-5.

Question 13

La belle indifférence is a characteristic symptom of ______.
A) somatization disorder
B) conversion disorder
C) hypochondriasis
D) Munchausen syndrome

Accepted Answer

La belle indifférence, which refers to a lack of concern about symptoms associated with a physical illness or injury, is a classic feature of conversion disorder. This condition is also known as functional neurological symptom disorder, and it involves the development of physical symptoms that are not due to an underlying medical condition. The term "conversion" refers to the idea that psychological stress is being "converted" into physical symptoms.

Question 14

In Sickened, Julie Gregory recounts her heart catheterization due to ______.
A) hypochondriasis
B) somatization disorder
C) a birth defect
D) her mother's insistence

Accepted Answer

In "Sickened," Julie Gregory recounts her experiences with Munchausen by proxy, where her mother insisted on unnecessary medical treatments, including a heart catheterization, despite Julie not having the medical conditions her mother claimed.

Question 15

Which of the following is a classic symptom of conversion disorder?
A) myopia
B) paranoia
C) epilepsy
D) accelerated heart rate

Accepted Answer

A classic symptom of conversion disorder is the presence of neurological symptoms that cannot be fully explained by a medical condition or underlying pathology. These symptoms may include seizures, paralysis, or sensory deficits. Therefore, option C (epilepsy) is the correct answer. Myopia is a refractive error of the eye, paranoia is a symptom of certain mental illnesses, and an accelerated heart rate is not typically associated with conversion disorder.

Question 16

A motive proposed in the text for parents who induce sickness in their children is acquisition of ______.
A) money
B) medical knowledge
C) sympathy
D) the right to provide home schooling

Accepted Answer

The motive for parents who induce sickness in their children to acquire sympathy is known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy. This condition involves a caregiver, often a parent, causing or fabricating symptoms of illness in a child to gain attention, sympathy, or reassurance from medical professionals and others.

Question 17

Conversion disorder is believed to involve the conversion or transformation of_____ into significant symptoms in the motor or sensory domain (Becker et al., 2013; Reynolds, 2012).
A) emotional distress
B) physical stress
C) high blood pressure
D) past experiences with psychoactive drugs

Accepted Answer

Conversion disorder is believed to involve the conversion or transformation of emotional distress into significant symptoms in the motor or sensory domain. This means that psychological stress is translated into physical symptoms such as paralysis or blindness, without an underlying medical cause.

Question 18

Baron Karl von Münchausen was notorious because of his ______.
A) extraordinary number of physical complaints
B) avoidance of combat because of feigned illness
C) sexual escapades
D) ability to tell tall tales

Accepted Answer

Baron Karl von Münchausen is known for his ability to tell exaggerated and absurd stories, which became known as "Münchausen syndrome."

Question 19

Münchausen syndrome by proxy can be viewed as a form of ______.
A) abusive behavior
B) hypochondriasis
C) medical malpractice
D) manipulation of the legal system

Accepted Answer

Münchausen syndrome by proxy involves a caregiver (often a parent) intentionally inducing illness or injury in a dependent (often a child) in order to gain attention or sympathy for themselves. This behavior is abusive and can seriously harm the dependent.

Question 20

Most classic conversion symptoms mimic ______ conditions.
A) neurological
B) adjustment
C) anxiety
D) genetic

Accepted Answer

Conversion symptoms often resemble neurological disorders, such as paralysis, tremors, and seizures. This is because the symptoms are the result of the brain converting emotional distress into physical symptoms. Conversion symptoms do not typically resemble adjustment, anxiety, or genetic conditions.

Quiz 6: Dissociative Disorders, Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders, and Psychological Factors Affecting Physical Health

Which of the following is a diagnostic feature of conversion disorder?

Münchausen syndrome is an example of a(n) ______ disorder.

Epilepsy, blindness, paralysis, problems in coordination, and loss of the sense of hearing or smell are all "classic" symptoms of ______.

Conversion disorder was formerly called _______.

When a person feigns an illness but is not consciously doing it for any specific motivation they might be suffering from __________.

Conversion disorder has been linked to ______.

Conversion disorder is called_______in the DSM-5.

Unlike malingerers, people with factitious disorders are classified in DSM-5 because ______.

One change in the DSM-5 is that conversion disorder is called which of the following?

La belle indifférence is a characteristic symptom of ______.

In Sickened, Julie Gregory recounts her heart catheterization due to ______.

Which of the following is a classic symptom of conversion disorder?

A motive proposed in the text for parents who induce sickness in their children is acquisition of ______.

Conversion disorder is believed to involve the conversion or transformation of_____ into significant symptoms in the motor or sensory domain (Becker et al., 2013; Reynolds, 2012) .

Baron Karl von Münchausen was notorious because of his ______.

Münchausen syndrome by proxy can be viewed as a form of ______.

Most classic conversion symptoms mimic ______ conditions.