Somatic Symptom Disorder Quiz

Somatic Symptom Disorder

• Symptoms of somatic symptom disorder vary in terms of severity, duration, and type of bodily symptoms experienced by an individual.

Defining Characteristic

• The defining characteristic of somatic symptom disorder is excessive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors associated with physical symptoms, which may or may not be medically explained.

Impact on Functioning

• Somatic symptom disorder typically affects an individual's daily functioning, causing significant distress, impairment, or social and occupational dysfunction.

Associated Condition

• A commonly associated condition with somatic symptom disorder is anxiety disorder.

Causes

• The exact cause of somatic symptom disorder is unknown, but it is believed to involve a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors.

Comorbidities

• Conditions commonly found to have comorbidity with somatic symptom disorder include anxiety disorders, depression, and personality disorders.

Signs and Symptoms

• A common sign of somatic symptom disorder is excessive preoccupation with physical symptoms, which may manifest as excessive worry, fear, or anxiety about the symptoms.

Onset

• Recurrent ailments associated with somatic symptom disorder usually begin in early adulthood, although they can occur at any age.

Manifestations

• A manifestation of somatic symptom disorder is obsessive feelings and thoughts about physical symptoms, which can lead to excessive health-related behaviors.

Examples of Obsessive Thoughts and Feelings

• A common example of obsessive feelings and thoughts in somatic symptom disorder is excessive worry about the possibility of having a serious illness or disease.

Definition

• Somatic symptom disorder pertains to a condition characterized by excessive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors associated with physical symptoms.

Comorbidities

• Common comorbidities with somatic symptom disorder include anxiety disorders, depression, and personality disorders.

Prevalence

• Approximately 10% of individuals with semantic dementia have comorbidity with somatic symptom disorder.
• Approximately 30% of female patients suffering from non-HIV lipodystrophy have comorbidity with somatic symptom disorder.

Impact on Physical Activity

• A common manifestation of somatic symptom disorder in relation to physical activity is excessive avoidance of activities due to fear of exacerbating physical symptoms.

Response to Treatment

• Individuals with somatic symptom disorder typically respond poorly to treatment for another physical ailment, as they may be more focused on their physical symptoms rather than the underlying condition.

Test your knowledge about somatic symptom disorder, a condition characterized by chronic physical symptoms connected to excessive thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Explore the manifestations and features of this disorder.