Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders

Here's a simple item from the ASWB Bachelors exam outline that will help at every exam level: the indicators of somatization.

First, to get started, a definition (from the Merck Manual)

Somatization is the expression of mental phenomena as physical (somatic) symptoms. Disorders characterized by somatization extend in a continuum from those in which symptoms develop unconsciously and nonvolitionally to those in which symptoms develop consciously and volitionally. 

Can  you name define each of these?

Somatic symptom disorder
Illness anxiety disorder
Conversion disorder
Factitious disorder

Let's turn to the DSM Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders chapter for answers.

Somatic symptom disorder has the following criteria:

A. Distressing somatic symptoms
B. Excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to those symptoms.
C. Symptoms appear for more than 6 months.

Illness anxiety disorder involves preoccupation with acquiring a serious illness without the presence of somatic symptoms. You may know this by the retired term hypochondriasis.

Conversion disorder requires symptoms of altered voluntary motor or sensory function that are incompatible with recognized neurological or medical conditions. That is, the symptoms don't match a known diagnosis.

Factitious disorder can be Imposed on Self or Imposed on Another. Both types involve the falsification of physical or psychological signs or symptoms associated with identified deception. The behavior is evident even in the absence of external rewards.

You can easily imagine ASWB exam questions that might test for your knowledge of these disorders. Something like...

A client worries constantly about getting cancer. He frequently visits doctors and requests the latest scan to be reassured that there is nothing wrong with him. What is the BEST diagnosis for this client?

Or...

A client reports agonizing knee pain that keeps her from being able to enjoy her life. She has received a clean bill of health from multiple doctors. What is the MOST likely diagnosis for this client?

And now that you've read this post, you'll be ready for them! (Answers: Illness anxiety disorder and Somatic disorder.)

You're that much more ready for the exam. Though this is no substitute for full-length practice tests, of course. But closer is closer.

Happy studying and good luck.