IA Somatoform + Factitious Disorders

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Questions and Answers

What characterizes illness anxiety disorder (IAD)?

Concerns about serious illness without significant symptoms (correct)

Preoccupation with mild somatic symptoms

Heavy reliance on diagnostic tests for reassurance

Conscious simulation of disease for external gain

Which of the following best describes the primary concern in somatic symptom disorder compared to illness anxiety disorder?

Complete absence of symptoms, only anxiety

Desire for medical tests to confirm a diagnosis

Presence of distressing somatic symptoms (correct)

Fear of disease without any symptoms

Why is it unhelpful to state that symptoms in somatic symptom disorders are purely psychological?

It encourages unnecessary testing

It implies a lack of real symptoms

It invalidates the patient's experience (correct)

It simplifies the treatment process

What approach is recommended for ongoing care of patients with somatic symptom disorder?

Regular visits to the same physician Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of malingering?

Faking symptoms to avoid work responsibilities Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal when managing a patient with illness anxiety disorder?

Explaining the functional nature of their symptoms Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following treatments is typically avoided for patients with somatic symptom disorders?

Electroconvulsive therapy Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of explaining a plausible physiological mechanism in patients with somatic symptoms?

To reassure them that symptoms are reversible Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes factitious disorder from malingering?

Factitious disorder aims for internal rewards while malingering aims for external rewards. Signup and view all the answers

In which disorder do patients not intentionally produce or feign symptoms?

Somatic symptom disorder Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of conversion disorder?

Symptoms can be caused by a recent stressor or trauma. Signup and view all the answers

What is the gold standard diagnostic method for epilepsy?

Electroencephalogram (EEG) Signup and view all the answers

What approach is recommended for managing factitious disorders?

Gentle but firm confrontation with evidence of symptoms fabrication. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a first-line option for evaluating epilepsy?

Electromyography (EMG) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main concern when managing a case of suspected child abuse related to toxin administration?

Report concerns to local authorities. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes dissociative conversion disorders?

Symptoms are unexplained by organic disease. Signup and view all the answers

Which disorder is characterized by intentional symptom production to obtain medical care for another individual?

Factitious disorder imposed on another Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct description of malingering?

Patients seek sympathy and attention from medical staff. Signup and view all the answers

What symptom characterizes somatic symptom disorder?

Presence of genuine distress about health concerns. Signup and view all the answers

What is an important aspect of the physician-patient relationship when treating factitious disorders?

Establishing rapport to enhance engagement in treatment. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of medical intervention is typically indicated for a patient diagnosed with conversion disorder?

Cognitive behavioral therapy. Signup and view all the answers

What should NOT be done when a patient is experiencing chronic, unexplained neurological symptoms?

Discharge without a clear treatment plan. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Illness Anxiety Disorder

Illness anxiety disorder (IAD), previously known as hypochondriasis, is characterized by preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness, even when no or only mild somatic symptoms are present.
Patients with IAD constantly worry about having acquired multiple diseases, often despite normal test results and physical examinations.
Reassurance and explanation are helpful in managing IAD, avoiding terms like "psychological" or "all in the mind."
Describing a plausible physiological mechanism linked to psychological factors like stress can be more acceptable.
Ongoing planned care with consistent specialists helps avoid unnecessary re-referrals and ensures management of treatable aspects like depression.

Somatic Symptom Disorder

Patients with somatic symptom disorder (SSD) experience distressing physical symptoms, but their main concern is not the symptom itself, but the fear of underlying undiagnosed diseases.
SSD requires ongoing planned care to avoid unnecessary testing and treatment, such as computed tomography, electroconvulsive therapy, surgical consultation, and psychiatric hospitalization.

Malingering

Malingering involves deliberate and conscious simulation of disease or disability for an identifiable external gain, like avoiding responsibilities or pursuing financial gain.
The motive for malingering is clear to the patient but initially concealed from doctors.

Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self

Factitious disorder involves repeated and deliberate production of signs or symptoms of disease for the internal gain of attention and sympathy from medical care.
Patients with factitious disorder intentionally adopt a sick role, rather than seeking a specific external reward.
Management of factitious disorder involves gentle but firm confrontation with clear evidence of illness fabrication.
Building rapport and trust is crucial for treatment engagement and disclosure.

Factitious Disorder Imposed on Other

Factitious disorder imposed on other, also known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy, involves repeatedly and deliberately producing signs or symptoms of disease in a third party to obtain medical care.
The patient receives the diagnosis, while the third party becomes the manifestation of the syndrome.

Conversion Disorder

Conversion disorder involves loss or distortion of neurological functioning not fully explained by organic disease.
Symptoms are not intentional or under conscious control, and are often associated with recent stress and adverse childhood experiences.
Cognitive behavioral therapy can be beneficial for patients with conversion disorder.

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Description

This quiz explores the features, management, and psychological aspects of Illness Anxiety Disorder (IAD) and Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD). Learn about the concerns and care approaches for patients dealing with these disorders, as well as the importance of clear communication with healthcare providers.