Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders

Question 1

This chronic condition is characterized by unexplained physical symptoms. It is found almost exclusively in women. (6+ months)

Answer 1

Somatic symptom disorder (formerly called somatization disorder)

Question 2

The pain in question has no apparent physical or physiological basis, or it far exceeds the usual expectations, given the patient’s actual physical condition

Answer 2

Somatic symptom disorder, with predominant pain

Question 3

These patients complain of isolated symptoms, changes in sensory or voluntary motor functioning, that seem to have no physical cause.

Answer 3

Conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder)

Specify:
Acute episode: under 6 months
Persistent: 6+ months
{with}{without} psychological stressor

Question 4

Formerly called hypochondriasis, this is a disorder in which physically healthy people have an unfounded fear of a serious, often life-threatening illness such as cancer or heart disease–but little in the way of somatic symptoms (6+ months)

Answer 4

Illness anxiety disorder

Specify:
Care-seeking type
Care-avoidant type

Question 5

A physical symptom or illness is affected by a psychological or behavioral factor that precipitates, worsens, interferes with, or extends the patient’s need for treatment.

Answer 5

Psychological factors affecting other medical conditions

Mild. The factor increases medical risk
Moderate. The factor worsens the medical condition
Severe. It causes an ER visit or hospitalization
Extreme. It results in severe, life-endangering risk

Question 6

Patients who want to occupy the sick role (perhaps they enjoy the attention of being in a hospital) consciously fabricate symptoms to attract attention from health care professionals

Answer 6

Factitious disorder imposed on self

Specify:
Single episode
Recurrent episodes

Question 7

A person induces symptoms in someone else, often a child, possibly for the purpose of gaining attention

Answer 7

Factitious disorder imposed on another

Specify:
Single episode
Recurrent episodes

Question 8

These are catch-all categories for patients whose somatic symptoms fail to meet criteria for any better-defined disorder

Answer 8

Other specified, or unspecified, somatic symptom and related disorder

Question 9

Somatic symptom disorder; ________: if the course is marked by serious symptoms, lots of impairment, and a duration greater than 6 months

Answer 9

Somatic symptom disorder, persistent