Deck 6: Somatic Symptom and Dissociative Disorders

Question 1

Symptoms that are experienced by those with somatic symptom disorder are

A) fake or acted.
B) distorted for sympathy.
C) real physical symptoms.
D) body mind reactions.

Answer 1

real physical symptoms.

Question 2

When a person has functional neurological symptoms almost exclusively and those symptoms are incompatible with recognized neurological and medical conditions, his/her somatoform disorder is most appropriately identified as

A) conversion disorder.
B) pseudosomatic.
C) psychosomatic disorder.
D) conversion conclusion.

Answer 2

conversion disorder.

Question 3

Ricardo complains of a lot of stomach pain. His doctor suspects the pain Ricardo experiences has been worsened by his high-stress job. Ricardo's symptoms may best be described as ____.

A) adaptive
B) psychosomatic
C) delusional
D) functional

Answer 3

psychosomatic

Question 4

People with conversion disorder experience motor or sensory problems that ____ a neurological or medical disorder.

A) cause
B) exacerbate
C) suggest
D) predispose

Question 5

A person with a somatic symptom disorder experiences

A) an almost complete absence of concern about his or her health.
B) a widening cascade of physical symptoms.
C) physical symptoms consistent with established diagnoses.
D) disproportionate worries about the seriousness of the symptoms.

Question 6

Medically unexplained symptoms, not part of another mental disorder, are referred to as

A) dysfunctional somatization.
B) presenting somatization.
C) functional somatization.
D) psychosomatic somatization.

Question 7

Psychodynamic theorists used to believe that that an adult who was severely neglected as a child may

A) relate to others with difficulty.
B) seek attention through constant physical complaints.
C) channel distress into desiring medically unexplained sensorimotor symptoms.
D) engage in all of these behaviors.

Question 8

People with extreme somatization may have a(n)

A) dissociative identity disorder.
B) somatic symptom disorder.
C) uncertain prognosis.
D) psychophysical trauma.

Question 9

In the Gisela case from your textbook, Gisela expressed fear that

A) something was really wrong with her.
B) she was crazy.
C) people would misunderstand her.
D) she would have an unusual diagnosis.

Question 10

Somatic symptom disorders can involve excessive ____ the consequences of various physical symptoms.

A) transformation of
B) trauma with
C) preoccupation with
D) compensation for

Question 11

The distinction between functional and presenting somatization is that

A) functional somatization designates major dysfunction, presenting somatization does not.
B) functional somatization is not part of another mental disorder and presenting somatization is.
C) they acknowledge severity from lesser to greater.
D) one is organic and the other is psychological.

Question 12

When someone has one or more somatic symptoms that are distressing and result in impairment in important life activities and when the person experiences excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to the somatic symptoms or associated health concern, the person might most appropriately be diagnosed with

A) somatopsychosis.
B) somatic symptom disorder.
C) attentional need disorder.
D) dissociative hysteria.

Question 13

Bolton is under a great deal of pressure at work to produce a grant proposal. He develops paralysis in his hands from the wrist down through the fingers that prevents him from typing and writing the proposal. Bolton doesn't rush to seek medical attention, but when his wife insists, the physician finds that his symptoms are incompatible with recognized neurological and medical conditions. The physician may most appropriately diagnose Bolton with

A) somatic symptom disorder.
B) illness anxiety disorder.
C) factitious disorder.
D) conversion disorder.

Question 14

Strong worry about aches, pains, possible disease, or appearance and fleeting thoughts about death or dying are most consistent with

A) mild somatization.
B) moderate somatization.
C) less severe somatic symptom disorder.
D) more severe somatic symptom disorder

Question 15

Vonda has been diagnosed with very severe somatic symptom disorder. You would expect her to

A) avoid many social and work activities.
B) feel relieved after her doctor visits.
C) only occasionally think about death and dying.
D) feel uncertain but not really panicked about her health.

Question 16

A tendency to communicate distress through physical symptoms and to pursue medical help for the symptoms is consistent with

A) somatoform.
B) dissociative.
C) somatization.
D) dissociation.

Question 17

Physical symptoms associated with somatization disorder are often quite ____, and a person usually seeks treatment from different places over several years.

A) severe
B) vague
C) personal
D) recreational

Question 18

Mara seeks medical attention because her lack of a sex drive is causing strife in her relationship. Her doctor does an assessment and determines that Mara has depression. Mara's lack of sex drive is an example of

A) functional somatization.
B) presenting somatization.
C) phantom pain.
D) malingering.

Question 19

Sally has been complaining about extreme and continual back pain and dizziness with loss of balance, but no physical causes have been discovered with elaborate medical testing. If she has no physical cause of these problems, she most likely has a

A) somatization syndrome.
B) dissociative disorder.
C) hysterical disorder.
D) somatoform disorder.

Question 20

Historically, somatoform and dissociative disorders were seen as ____, but now they are considered ____ disorders.

A) unrelated; related
B) dissimilar; similar
C) related; distinct
D) less serious; more serious

Question 21

What is a key difference between somatic symptom disorder and illness anxiety disorder?

A) People with somatic symptom disorder complain about their symptoms in vague terms.
B) People with illness anxiety disorder have few thoughts about having an illness.
C) People with somatic symptom disorder rarely visit medical doctors.
D) People with illness anxiety disorder must not display autosuggestibility as part of the disorder.

Question 22

After extensive negative medical testing, Woody is still convinced that he has a brain tumor that may lead to his demise, even though his only symptom is occasional blurred vision. He may be suffering from

A) catastrophizing disorder.
B) illness anxiety disorder.
C) somatodistinctive disorder.
D) hysterical disorders.

Question 23

Which of the following is TRUE regarding conversion disorder?

A) Pseudoseizures are a possible symptom of conversion disorder.
B) Conversion disorder refers to worry about having a severe illness.
C) Those with conversion disorder must not show la belle indifference.
D) Symptoms in a conversion disorder are not real but rather faked by a person.

Question 24

Adam's parents take him to the doctor because he has been behaving strangely lately--falling to the ground, twitching, appearing to lose consciousness. The doctor does some testing and finds no electrical disruptions in Adam's brain in association with these episodes, but is persuaded that Adam is not faking. Adam's physician indicates that this behavior is consistent with

A) an illness anxiety disorder.
B) malingering.
C) autosuggestibility.
D) a pseudoseizure.

Question 25

When people undergo limb amputation and still report pain in that limb, they may be experiencing

A) body pain disorder.
B) phantom pain.
C) hypochondriasis.
D) psychosomatic pain disorder.

Question 26

Larry has been reporting both physical and psychological symptoms that he is not actually experiencing. On occasion, he will induce nausea intentionally by ingesting raw eggs and vinegar. This behavior is consistent with

A) somatization sympathy seeking.
B) an illness wish.
C) factitious disorder.
D) self-depreciation and malingering.

Question 27

After extensive negative medical testing, Woody is still convinced that he has a brain tumor that may lead to his demise, even though his only symptom is occasional blurred vision. He may be suffering from

A) illness anxiety disorder.
B) body dysmorphic disorder.
C) conversion disorder.
D) somatic symptom disorder.

Question 28

Lara's son seems to be constantly ill. While she is by her son's bedside in the hospital, one of the nurses observes Lara injecting her son with a solution that is causing his illness. Lara may have

A) Munchauesen syndrome.
B) Munchauesen syndrome by proxy.
C) malingering.
D) malingering by proxy.

Question 29

Because psychological conditions may be greatly stigmatized in non-Western countries, there is more emphasis on physical symptoms or increased tendency toward

A) somatization in these cultures.
B) multiple disorder diagnosis.
C) less recognition of actual causation.
D) minimizing symptom reporting.

Question 30

The long-term outcome for people with somatic symptom disorders is worst for people with

A) Munchausen syndrome.
B) Munchausen syndrome by proxy.
C) malingering.
D) illness anxiety disorder.

Question 31

The deliberate production of physical or psychological symptoms is characteristic of

A) pain disorder.
B) bipolar disorder.
C) anxiety disorder.
D) factitious disorder.

Question 32

Biological risk factors for somatic symptom disorders are

A) genetic and/or brain-related.
B) primarily genetic.
C) hormonal.
D) neurotransmitter-related.

Question 33

Researchers have found that certain aspects of somatic symptom disorders such as ____, or the difficulty understanding one's own emotions, have a genetic basis.

A) apraxia
B) alexithymia
C) akinesia
D) agraphia

Question 34

Jamahle has an overactive amygdala, which may increase his risk for developing a somatic symptom disorder. This is a risk most related to ____.

A) brain features
B) epidemiology
C) cognition
D) culture

Question 35

Dissociative amnesia refers to the inability to recall important autobiographical information that is ____ ordinary forgetting.

A) similar to
B) inconsistent with
C) overlapping with.
D) mimicking of

Question 36

Across cultures, the most commonly reported somatic symptoms are

A) muscle cramps and headaches.
B) gastrointestinal and strange skin sensations.
C) convulsions and twitches.
D) joint pain and tremors.

Question 37

People with symptoms that are not well-understood by medical doctors, such as those with chronic fatigue syndrome, often face blame or dismissal from others who attribute their symptoms to emotional problems or outright faking. That is, individuals with these disorders may be subjected to

A) criminalization.
B) dissociation.
C) stigmatization.
D) depersonalization.

Question 38

Individuals with dissociative disorders experience difficulties with their

A) emotions only.
B) cognitions only.
C) behaviors only.
D) emotions, cognitions, and behaviors.

Question 39

Malingering is aimed at

A) external motivation such as avoidance or exploitation.
B) keeping one's status level elevated.
C) excusing away imperfections by rationalization.
D) hanging around looking like you are up to no good.

Question 40

Which group tends to be more preoccupied by symptoms of cancer and heart disease than those of other cultures?

A) Africans
B) South Asians
C) East Asians
D) Europeans

Question 41

Receiving social reinforcement for somatic complaints may be referred to as

A) primary gain.
B) tertiary gain.
C) secondary gain.
D) psychogenic gain.

Question 42

The way people with somatic symptom disorders misperceive internal sensations is similar that of some people with ____.

A) antisocial personality disorder
B) panic disorder
C) delusional disorder
D) bipolar disorder

Question 43

According to your textbook, key areas of the brain that are related to somatic symptom disorders include all of the following EXCEPT the

A) amygdala and limbic system.
B) hypothalamus and cingulate.
C) prefrontal and somatosensory cortices.
D) medulla and pons.

Question 44

Environmental risk factors are likely to affect people with somatic symptom disorders, especially those preoccupied with

A) sexuality.
B) social status.
C) disease.
D) academic standing.

Question 45

Youths with somatic symptom disorder are often ____, and their parents are of ____ socioeconomic status and education level.

A) male; upper
B) female; upper
C) male; lower
D) female; lower

Question 46

Cognitive factors related to somatic symptom disorders include

A) over concern for minor symptoms and faking illness.
B) psychological attribution such as stress.
C) illness attributions and somatosensory awareness.
D) physiological numbness and insensitivity.

Question 47

In people with somatic symptom disorder, decreased blood flow may occur in areas of the ____ and other areas of the brain that are related to loss of sensory and motor functions as seen in conversion disorder.

A) prefrontal cortex
B) hypothalamus
C) occipital lobe
D) hindbrain

Question 48

Regarding the prevention of somatic symptom disorders,

A) there are no recommendations available.
B) relating somatic symptom disorders to other disorders has been successful.
C) widespread institutionalization is common.
D) identifying and addressing risk factors early on is important.

Question 49

Some people may find it easier to concentrate on minor bodily changes than a major life stressor such as

A) marital conflict.
B) financial troubles.
C) academic failure.
D) all of these choices.

Question 50

Changes that occur in the ____ may help explain why many somatic complaints tend to be on the left side of the body.

A) thalamus
B) midbrain
C) left hemisphere
D) right hemisphere

Question 51

Stressful life events relate closely to the ____ of conversion disorder symptoms.

A) type
B) formation
C) exacerbation
D) severity

Question 52

Biological evidence suggests that people with somatic symptom disorders have brain changes that lead to

A) distractibility.
B) tendency to acclimate to continuous stimuli.
C) enhanced cognitive functioning.
D) all of these choices.

Question 53

Some theorists believe that somatic symptom disorders result from changes in

A) perception.
B) control.
C) attention.
D) all of these choices.

Question 54

Illness behavior is a key concept of somatic symptom disorders. Which of the following is NOT a type of illness behavior as described in the textbook?

A) resting in bed
B) seeing a physician
C) practicing la belle indifference
D) taking medication

Question 55

Ronda has a somatic symptom disorder. She complains constantly of headaches, but no medical explanation can be found. In fact, Ronda's head does not actually hurt, but she interprets any sensation in her head as a headache and sign of a serious medical problem. This is an example of the role of ____ in causing a somatic symptom disorder. Some people with somatoform disorder misinterpret sensory experiences as real and dangerous symptoms of a serious medical problem.

A) misperception
B) conceptualization
C) overcontrol
D) inattention

Question 56

Sylvia enjoys and appreciates the attention and sympathy she receives when she complains of pain and discomfort. As a somatic symptom disorder risk factor, this would be considered an example of

A) cognitive support.
B) reinforcement.
C) obligation deviation.
D) self-indulgence.

Question 57

Genetics likely play a(n) ____ role in explaining somatic symptom disorders.

A) large
B) moderate
C) limited
D) inconsequential

Question 58

Neuroimaging evidence indicates the possibility of ____ related to somatic symptom disorders.

A) neurotransmitter disruptions
B) ventricle enlargement with tissue atrophy
C) blood-flow changes in certain brain areas
D) multiple small tremors

Question 59

Strategies to prevent the development of somatic symptom disorders may include

A) educating children and parents about dangerous and nondangerous physical symptoms.
B) attending to serious but not common bodily changes.
C) helping youths cope with traumatic events and related mental disorders.
D) all of these choices.

Question 60

In people with somatic symptom disorders, there is a disruption occurring in communications between the ____ and the ____.

A) brain; body
B) head; biology
C) limbs; brain
D) nervous system; endocrine system

Question 61

One of the important issues in the use of medication to treat somatic symptom disorder is that

A) the medications often paradoxically increase depression.
B) most patients report increased pain even as their worries about it decrease.
C) optimal dosing and treatment duration are unclear.
D) some patients stop taking them because they miss the attention they received.

Question 62

Disorders that involve disturbance in consciousness, memory, or identity are

A) delusional disorders.
B) personality disorders.
C) somatization disorder.
D) dissociative disorders.

Question 63

Many people with dissociative identity disorder have subpersonalities called

A) friends.
B) alters.
C) voices.
D) mini-personalities.

Question 64

Dissociation is quite common and presents in various forms of temporary distraction or separation. When the separation becomes sufficiently severe as to disrupt consciousness, memory, or identity, the condition is then known as

A) conversion disorder.
B) dissociative disorder.
C) dysfunctional amnesia.
D) psychogenic disruption.

Question 65

Upon suspicion of a somatic symptom disorder, one should

A) consult a psychologist.
B) seek a full medical and psychological examination.
C) hide any problems due to stigma.
D) rely on a trusted, uneducated friend.

Question 66

The deliberate reporting of physical or psychological symptoms for some external motivation describes

A) malingering.
B) psychosomatic illness.
C) Munchhausen syndrome.
D) factitious disorder by proxy.

Question 67

Limiting the number of times a person can monitor physical symptoms, check some perceived flaw, groom themselves, or engage in some other access behavior is known as

A) response prevention.
B) cognitive assessment.
C) contingency conversion.
D) psychosomatic revision.

Question 68

A cognitive therapist would help a client with illness anxiety disorder

A) discuss evidence for and against the disease belief.
B) ruminate as a way of overcoming the disorder.
C) understand with 100% certainty that he or she is not ill.
D) learn to suppress thoughts about diseases.

Question 69

Educating children and parents about dangerous and nondangerous physical symptoms, attending to serious but not common bodily changes, helping youths cope with traumatic events and related mental disorders, ensuring adequate and competent healthcare, and practicing anxiety management are designed to help prevent

A) anxiety disorders.
B) somatic symptom disorders.
C) schizophrenia.
D) dissociative disorders.

Question 70

John's therapist notes symptoms in him that include greater difficulty concentrating and feeling more alienated from his environment, greater worry about minor dissociation such as sitting in a car at the supermarket and wondering how he arrived there, and highway hypnosis. John will most likely be diagnosed as having dissociation at the ____ level.

A) normal
B) mild
C) moderate
D) severe

Question 71

Which disorder is a severe factitious disorder in which a person causes symptoms and claims he has a physical or mental disorder?

A) malingering
B) somatoform disorder
C) Munchhausen syndrome
D) psychosomatic illness

Question 72

When a person is encouraged to re-examine inaccurate statements to challenge troubling thoughts, the therapy method being used is

A) instant-driven realism.
B) mentor-based reeducation.
C) cognitive therapy.
D) psychodynamic therapy.

Question 73

Interview questions given to someone like Gisela with a possible somatic symptom disorder should involve a detailed history of ____ and ____ problems.

A) physical; psychological
B) psychological; psychosocial
C) psychosomatic; academic
D) medical; nonmedical

Question 74

Typical assessment techniques for somatic symptom disorder should include

A) psychoanalysis.
B) interviews, questionnaires, and personality assessment.
C) expert testimony, projective tests, and physical exam.
D) direct and indirect questioning and functional analysis.

Question 75

When contingency management is used to modify the reinforcement of an individual, we are performing

A) behavior therapy.
B) cognitive therapy.
C) psychodynamic therapy.
D) humanistic therapy.

Question 76

The most common medications for treating persons with somatic symptom disorder are

A) selective serotonergic reuptake inhibitors.
B) tricyclics.
C) antipsychotics.
D) MAO inhibitors.

Question 77

According to your textbook, clinicians who wish to include a personality assessment as part of their screening for a somatic symptom disorder should consider using the

A) International Diagnostic Checklist.
B) Screening for Somatoform Disorders (SOMS).
C) Myers-Briggs.
D) MMPI.

Question 78

With regard to somatic symptom disorder outcomes,

A) it is almost impossible to produce sustained improvement.
B) the more severe the symptoms, the more difficult the treatment.
C) the more subtle the symptoms, the more elusive the cause.
D) the more comorbidity, the better.

Question 79

The separation of emotions, thoughts, memories, or other inner experiences from oneself are the defining characteristics of

A) Munchhausen syndrome.
B) dissociation.
C) paranormal beliefs.
D) somatoformization.

Question 80

Which factor is associated with better outcomes among persons with somatic symptoms disorders?

A) higher levels of anxiety
B) fewer pre-treatment symptoms
C) a history of hospitalization
D) a history of depression