After completing the assigned reading, students will demonstrate their understanding of somatic symptom and related disorders through three components:
Case Study: Marias Persistent Pain Maria is a 32-year-old woman who has visited her primary care physician more than a dozen times in the past year. She reports ongoing abdominal pain, headaches, and occasional dizziness. Despite extensive medical testing; including blood work, imaging scans, and specialist consultations; no clear medical cause has been identified.
Maria expresses deep concern that she may have a serious illness, often researching her symptoms online and requesting additional tests. Her physician notes that Marias symptoms seem to worsen during periods of stress at work and improve slightly when she receives reassurance from medical staff.
Marias family reports that she frequently misses social gatherings due to her symptoms and has become increasingly anxious about her health. She has tried over-the-counter medications and dietary changes, but nothing seems to alleviate her distress.
Short Answer Questions
Define somatic symptom disorder and explain how it differs from illness anxiety disorder.
Describe the role of cognitive-behavioral therapy in treating somatic symptom disorders.
Explain the concept of “primary gain” and “secondary gain” in conversion disorder.
Discuss cultural factors that influence the presentation of somatic symptom disorders.
Case Study Analysis
Read the provided case vignette
Identify the somatic symptom disorder present.
Explain the diagnostic criteria that apply.
Propose a treatment plan including at least two therapeutic approaches.
Reflect on ethical considerations in treating patients with these disorders.
Applied Reflection Essay
Write a 23-page essay connecting the chapter concepts to real-world applications.
Suggested prompts:
How might somatic symptom disorders impact workplace productivity or healthcare costs?
What challenges do clinicians face in differentiating medical conditions from psychological ones?
How can stigma around mental health complicate treatment for somatic symptom disorders
Submission Guidelines:
Submit via LMS by Sunday 11:59 PM EST.
Use APA formatting for citations.