Questions and Answers
Conditions involving physical complaints or disabilities occurring in the absence of any physical pathology that could account for them are
Individuals with somatic symptom disorders
Consciously faking symptoms is characteristic of
All of the following are diagnosed as somatic symptom disorders EXCEPT
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Evan is terrified because he is convinced that he has a terminal heart condition. His diagnosis is probably
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Most likely, John and Ira's reactions after eating dinner will be
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If Ronald is typical of people with hypochondriasis, he will
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Sara notices a lump on her side. After receiving confirmation that it is not cancer, Sara
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People with hypochondriasis tend to rely on maladaptive thoughts that increase their vulnerability to this issue. Which statement exemplifies those thoughts?
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According to the revisions made for the DSM-5, most people previously diagnosed with ______________ will be diagnosed with somatic symptom disorder.
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Dysfunctional assumptions about symptoms and diseases are a component of a cognitive-behavioral explanation of
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Research on hypochondriasis has shown that people with the disorder tend to
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Study Notes
Somatic Symptom Disorders
- Conditions with physical complaints or disabilities present without identifiable physical cause are termed somatic symptom disorders.
- Individuals with these disorders genuinely believe their symptoms are real and serious, rather than intentionally faking illnesses for secondary gains.
Hypochondriasis
- Hypochondriasis is characterized by an excessive preoccupation with having a serious illness despite medical reassurance.
- A typical individual with hypochondriasis might avoid accepting psychological explanations for their conditions and often overestimate the threat posed by common symptoms.
- Maladaptive thoughts may include believing any minor ailment could indicate a severe disease, such as cancer.
- Classification revisions in DSM-5 merged many hypochondriasis diagnoses into somatic symptom disorder.
Malingering
- Malingering is the conscious faking of symptoms to achieve a specific benefit, contrasting with somatic symptom disorder where symptoms are perceived as genuine.
Pain Disorder
- Pain disorder is recognized as a somatic symptom disorder but should not be confused with other conditions, such as fugue disorder, which lacks physical symptomology.
Response to Symptoms
- Individuals like Evan, who obsess about undiagnosed conditions despite medical assessments, typify hypochondriasis.
- Contrasts in response to identical physical symptoms can exist between individuals, as illustrated through John (a hypochondriac) and Ira (not a hypochondriac).
Cognitive Behavioral Factors
- Dysfunctional assumptions about health can heighten susceptibility to hypochondriasis, illustrating the importance of cognitive-behavioral perspectives in understanding these disorders.
- Research indicates that those with hypochondriasis frequently overestimate the dangers associated with various health conditions.
Summary
- Somatic symptom disorders reflect genuine beliefs about symptoms without physical basis, hypochondriasis involves unreasonable health fears, while malingering is intentional deception for gain, and pain disorders involve verified pain without physical cause.
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Description
This quiz focuses on Chapter 8 of psychology, specifically examining somatic symptom disorders and related conditions. Test your knowledge on key terms and definitions, enhancing your understanding of psychological concepts. Ideal for students studying psychology or preparing for exams.
