Question 1

All of the following are true regarding somatic symptom disorder EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Somatic symptom disorder does not require that the symptoms be medically unexplained; the focus is on the excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to the symptoms.

Question 2

When beginning treatment with those who have somatic symptom disorder, a recommended strategy for therapists is to:

Accepted Answer

Accepting the clients' perceptions of physical complaints as genuine helps build trust and rapport, which is crucial for effective therapy with individuals who have somatic symptom disorder.

Question 3

It can be helpful for individuals with somatic symptom disorder to complete a self-report log to begin to see the connection between stress or emotional situations and the impact on their symptoms.

Accepted Answer

Completing a self-report log can help individuals with somatic symptom disorder identify patterns and triggers related to their symptoms, facilitating better understanding and management of their condition.

Question 4

____ is a treatment developed in Denmark specifically for the treatment of somatic symptoms. It is based on CBT and has been found effective in improving self-reported physical health.

Accepted Answer

The answer of ____ is a treatment developed in Denmark...

Question 5

All of the following are true regarding the treatment of somatic symptom disorder EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Medication alone is not ideal for treating somatic symptom disorder; a combination of therapy and medication is often more effective.

Question 6

Persistent/severe anxiety related to having or acquiring a serious illness along with the experience of significant and distressing somatic symptoms that disrupt one's life is called illness anxiety disorder.

Accepted Answer

The condition described is more accurately referred to as somatic symptom disorder, whereas illness anxiety disorder involves anxiety about having a serious illness without significant somatic symptoms.

Question 7

Which of the following is true regarding illness anxiety disorder (IAD):

Accepted Answer

Illness anxiety disorder shares similarities with OCD, impacts relationships negatively due to constant worry and reassurance-seeking, and involves frequent checking and researching of illnesses.

Question 8

An example of using exposure and response prevention with illness anxiety disorder would involve the imaginal exposure of ____ and the response prevention of ____.

Accepted Answer

Imaginal exposure involves thinking about the feared situation, such as having an illness, while response prevention involves refraining from the compulsive behavior, like contacting the doctor immediately.

Question 9

An approach to treatment using _____ would not try to change a person's thoughts or fears about having an illness; rather it encourages the person to stay in the present moment and accept whatever thoughts come to mind.

Accepted Answer

Mindfulness encourages people to stay in the present moment and accept whatever thoughts come to mind, rather than trying to change them.

Question 10

The presence of neurologic symptoms (e.g., seizures, paralysis, numbness) without an actual neurological condition is characteristic of:

Accepted Answer

Conversion disorder is characterized by neurological symptoms that cannot be explained by a medical condition, often resulting from psychological factors.

Question 11

For years a coach at a high-powered football school has experienced pressure to win, resulting in a high level of stress. This stress exacerbates his hypertension. The most likely diagnosis is:

Accepted Answer

The coach's stress is exacerbating his hypertension, which is a medical condition. This fits the diagnosis of psychological factors affecting other medical conditions, where psychological stress impacts a physical health issue.

Question 12

_____ is the most likely diagnosis when a parent creates or exaggerates physical or psychological symptoms in a child for the purpose of receiving attention, support, and sympathy.

Accepted Answer

Factitious disorder imposed on another, previously known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy, involves a caregiver, usually a parent, fabricating or inducing illness in another person, typically their child, to gain attention or sympathy.

Question 13

Situations like parents who create or exaggerate physical or psychological symptoms in a child for the purpose of receiving attention, support, and sympathy:

Accepted Answer

Such situations, often referred to as Munchausen syndrome by proxy, are rare occurrences where a caregiver, usually a parent, fabricates or induces illness in a child for attention.

Quiz 10: Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders