Question 1

Which treatment focuses on helping clients recall events and memories that may have triggered their somatization symptoms?

Accepted Answer

The psychodynamic approach focuses on bringing repressed memories and emotions into conscious awareness, which can help clients identify the root causes of their symptoms. This approach is particularly relevant for somatization disorders, which often involve physical symptoms stemming from psychological triggers or conflicts.

Question 2

The _____ disorders are a group of disorders in which people experience significant physical symptoms for which there is no apparent organic cause.

Accepted Answer

Somatic symptom disorders are characterized by physical symptoms without any medical or physical explanation. They are often accompanied by anxiety and/or excessive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors regarding these symptoms.

Question 3

Marcus spends a lot of time at his physician's clinic to deal with the pain in his abdomen. He has had several gastrointestinal tests as well as other diagnostic tests taken, but the doctors can find nothing to explain his pain. He spends much time worrying about his mystery pain is something serious. Marcus is most likely experiencing a(n) _____ disorder.

Accepted Answer

Marcus is experiencing physical symptoms of pain, but there is no identifiable medical explanation. This is characteristic of a somatic symptom disorder, which involves excessive and persistent worry about health symptoms despite lack of medical explanation.

Question 4

Sherry believes that she has a serious illness. She has had severe headaches and tremors for several days with no relief from traditional over-the-counter medicines. Her visit to the doctor revealed no organic reason for the headaches. Unsatisfied with the results, she goes to several other medical professionals for treatment. Sherry is most likely suffering from a(n) _____ disorder.

Accepted Answer

Sherry's symptoms suggest a somatic symptom disorder, which involves physical symptoms that are either excessive or disproportionate to any known medical condition. The fact that she has sought multiple medical opinions without finding a clear diagnosis also supports this diagnosis. The other options (illness anxiety disorder, dissociative disorder, acute stress disorder) do not fit with the information provided.

Question 5

Cognitive therapies for somatic symptom disorder focus on:

Accepted Answer

Cognitive therapies for somatic symptom disorder aim to challenge the client's maladaptive interpretations of physical symptoms and teach them techniques for appropriate interpretations. This approach is effective in reducing the severity and frequency of somatic symptoms. Option B is incorrect because identifying behavioral reinforcers is part of behavioral therapy rather than cognitive therapy. Option C is incorrect because providing insight into early childhood experiences is part of psychodynamic therapy rather than cognitive therapy. Option D is incorrect because designing a behavior modification plan with punishers does not address the underlying cognitive distortions associated with somatic symptom disorder.

Question 6

Vickianna's doctor is trying to diagnose if her condition is an illness anxiety disorder or a somatic symptom disorder. According to the DSM-5, to make the distinction, he should determine if Vickianna _____.

Accepted Answer

To differentiate between illness anxiety disorder and somatic symptom disorder, the doctor needs to determine if the individual has physical symptoms, as people with somatic symptom disorder experience physical symptoms that are not fully explained by a medical condition, whereas those with illness anxiety disorder are preoccupied with the fear of having or acquiring a serious illness, without necessarily having physical symptoms. Seeking medical help, anxious thoughts, and acute stress can be present in both disorders.

Question 7

Family studies suggest that somatic symptom disorders run primarily among _____ relatives, and _____ relatives have higher rates of alcoholism.

Accepted Answer

Family studies indicate that somatic symptom disorders are more prevalent among female relatives, while male relatives have higher rates of alcoholism. This reflects gender differences in the prevalence of these disorders.

Question 8

Which of the following statements is true of the somatic symptom disorder in the United States?

Accepted Answer

According to research, older adults are more likely than middle-aged adults to report multiple somatic symptoms. Children can also experience somatic symptoms, but they may not have the cognitive ability to describe them as such. Adolescents are less likely to be diagnosed with somatic symptom disorder than older adults.

Question 9

According to DSM-5, which of the following is a diagnostic criterion for illness anxiety disorder?

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to DSM-5, which of the following...

Question 10

Bethany is experiencing dizziness, head pain and numbness in her lower limbs, all with no apparent medical reason. Bethany is most likely experiencing a(n) _____ disorder.

Accepted Answer

Bethany's symptoms are somatic symptoms, which are physical symptoms without any medical reason. Pseudocyesis is a false belief of being pregnant, dissociative disorders involve disruption in consciousness and identity, and acute stress disorder involves anxiety and flashbacks related to a traumatic event.

Question 11

When a woman believes she is pregnant, but physical examination and laboratory tests show negative results, this syndrome is called _____.

Accepted Answer

Pseudocyesis, also known as false pregnancy, is a condition where a woman experiences pregnancy-like symptoms and believes she is pregnant, but medical tests show no evidence of pregnancy. This can be a result of psychological factors or hormonal imbalances. The other options (B, C, and D) are not recognized medical terms for this condition.

Question 12

Which of the following disorders may appear similar in their presentation?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following disorders may appear...

Question 13

People diagnosed with somatic symptom disorder frequently have periods of all of the following EXCEPT _____.

Accepted Answer

People diagnosed with somatic symptom disorder may experience substance abuse, depression, and anxiety, as these are commonly associated with the disorder. However, they do not typically experience psychotic disorders.

Question 14

In the treatment of somatic symptom disorder, _____ therapies attempt to determine and eliminate the reinforcements individuals receive for their symptoms, while increasing positive rewards for healthy behavior.

Accepted Answer

Behavioral therapies, such as operant conditioning, focus on changing behavior by modifying the reinforcements individuals receive for their symptoms. The goal is to increase positive rewards for healthy behavior, while decreasing the reinforcing value of symptom expressions. Cognitive and psychodynamic therapies may also be used in conjunction with behavioral techniques, but they do not have the same focus on modifying reinforcements and rewards for behavior. Humanistic therapies, such as client-centered therapy, may be used for related emotional and interpersonal issues but are not typically used as the primary treatment for somatic symptom disorder.

Question 15

Bertram has spent years being concerned about his health even though he has no symptoms or pain. Several years ago, he read an article on tumors and became preoccupied with thoughts about getting a tumor. He rarely seeks medical help and in fact avoids doctors and hospitals. Bertram is most likely experiencing a(n) _____ disorder.

Accepted Answer

Bertram's preoccupation with his health and fear of having a tumor, despite having no symptoms or pain, is consistent with illness anxiety disorder (previously known as hypochondriasis). Somatic symptom disorder involves actual physical symptoms that cannot be explained by a medical condition, while dissociative disorders involve disruptions in memory, consciousness, or identity. Acute stress disorder involves a severe reaction to a traumatic event.

Question 16

_____ was formerly known as hypochondriasis (without physical symptoms).

Accepted Answer

Illness anxiety disorder was formerly known as hypochondriasis, which is characterized by excessive worry and fear about having a serious illness, without any physical symptoms or evidence of medical conditions.

Question 17

Studies of refugees who fled to the United States found that these groups often had:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Studies of refugees who fled to the...

Question 18

Herman has been diagnosed with somatic symptom disorder. He often misinterprets his bodily symptoms, which results in increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and dizziness. He states regularly, "If the pain doesn't stop soon, it will probably cause damage to the other parts of my body." Herman is most likely catastrophizing his symptoms. This maladaptive way of thinking is linked with the _____ theoretical perspective.

Accepted Answer

Catastrophizing is a cognitive distortion where an individual imagines the worst possible outcome of a situation. Thus, it is linked with the cognitive theoretical perspective, which focuses on how thoughts and perceptions influence behavior and emotions.

Question 19

Which of the following statements is true of the somatic symptom disorder?

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that the symptoms of individuals with somatic symptom disorder often reflect their emotional state, indicating a strong link between psychological factors and physical symptoms.

Question 20

Which of the following represents one of the difficulties in diagnosing somatic symptom disorders?

Accepted Answer

One of the difficulties in diagnosing somatic symptom disorders is that the person may have a real physical problem that is difficult to detect. This can lead to confusion and difficulty distinguishing between physical illness and somatic symptom disorder.

Quiz 6: Somatic Symptom and Dissociative Disorders