Question 1

The most frequently mentioned location of imagined defects in 30 patients with body dysmorphic disorder was the

Accepted Answer

The answer of The most frequently mentioned location of imagined...

Question 2

There is some similarity between hypochondriasis and ________.

Accepted Answer

Hypochondriasis and panic disorder share similarities in that both conditions involve recurrent and intense anxiety, often centering around bodily sensations or perceived health concerns. Individuals with panic disorder may experience panic attacks in response to these sensations, while those with hypochondriasis may become preoccupied with the fear of having a serious illness despite medical reassurance.

Question 3

Recent research suggests that conversion symptoms in people with conversion disorder result from

Accepted Answer

The answer of Recent research suggests that conversion symptoms in...

Question 4

"Glove anesthesia" refers to

Accepted Answer

"Glove anesthesia" specifically refers to the loss of sensation in the part of the hands which would be covered by gloves, not the entire extremities.

Question 5

Current treatments for somatoform disorders focus on

Accepted Answer

Current treatments for somatoform disorders focus on affective, cognitive or social processes that maintain the disorders. For instance, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may be used to challenge and change the maladaptive thoughts and behaviors that contribute to somatic symptoms. Additionally, relaxation techniques and stress-management strategies may also be employed to alleviate physiological symptoms. However, medication may be used to treat comorbid mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety that may contribute to the severity of somatoform disorders. Nonetheless, medication alone is not considered the primary treatment for somatoform disorders.

Question 6

An important distinction within the category hypochondriasis - one that will be recognized by DSM-5 - appears to be

Accepted Answer

The DSM-5 recognizes the distinction between individuals with hypochondriasis who present with physical symptoms (80%) and those who do not (20%).

Question 7

Recently, experts have suggested that conversion disorder might best be viewed as a form of

Accepted Answer

Conversion disorder is often considered a type of dissociative disorder because it involves a disconnection between the mind and body, where psychological distress is expressed through physical symptoms without a medical cause.

Question 8

There are reasons for the DSM-5 workgroup to think that body dysmorphic disorder should be categorized as an _____________ since it shares important features with _____________.

Accepted Answer

Body dysmorphic disorder shares features with obsessive-compulsive disorder, such as repetitive and intrusive thoughts and behaviors related to appearance concerns. The diagnostic criteria for body dysmorphic disorder also include anxiety and distress, which are common features of anxiety disorders. However, the preoccupation with appearance and the compulsive behaviors related to appearance are more consistent with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Question 9

Dissociation was emphasized in early Christianity as a function of God's will.

Accepted Answer

Early Christianity did not emphasize dissociation as a function of God's will; rather, it focused on concepts like faith, repentance, and the relationship between God and humanity through Jesus Christ. Dissociation, in the psychological sense of detaching from reality, is not a theme central to early Christian teachings.

Question 10

The defining symptom of the dissociative disorders is the disruption of mental processes involved in memory or consciousness that are normally integrated.

Accepted Answer

Dissociative disorders are characterized by disruptions in normal mental processes such as memory, consciousness, identity, perception, and/or motor behavior that are typically integrated. Common symptoms include amnesia, depersonalization, derealization, and identity confusion or alteration.

Question 11

In the middle ages, supernatural beliefs of Plato were soon replaced by more scientific accounts of mental disorders, including the syndromes we recognize as dissociative and somatoform disorders.

Accepted Answer

In the Middle Ages, supernatural beliefs about mental disorders were prevalent, and scientific accounts did not replace these beliefs until much later, during the Renaissance and Enlightenment periods.

Question 12

The term la belle indifference refers to

Accepted Answer

La belle indifference is a term used to describe the apparent lack of concern or worry that individuals with conversion disorder display about their physical or neurological symptoms, which are often severe and debilitating. This suggests that the symptoms may be unconsciously or intentionally produced to gain attention or avoid responsibilities.

Question 13

Though Hippocratic writing made some reference to dissociative disorders, Plato was among the first to consider the causes involved in these disorders.

Accepted Answer

Plato is considered to be one of the first known thinkers to explore the causes of dissociative disorders.

Question 14

Joe is excessively preoccupied with the shape of his nose, and, though he has had plastic surgery several times in order to alter its appearance, remains dissatisfied. Joe is most likely suffering from which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Joe's preoccupation with the shape of his nose and dissatisfaction despite multiple surgeries indicate that he may be suffering from body dysmorphic disorder, which is characterized by an excessive preoccupation with a perceived flaw in one's appearance that is not noticeable or only slightly noticeable to others. The other options do not fit the description of Joe's symptoms as well as body dysmorphic disorder.

Question 15

Which of the following represents an overconcern about serious disease?

Accepted Answer

Hypochondriasis is a condition characterized by an excessive and unjustified worry about having a serious illness or disease, despite medical reassurance that nothing is wrong. Malingering is deliberately faking symptoms for secondary gain, conversion disorder involves physical symptoms without an underlying medical cause, factitious disorder involves intentionally feigning or inducing illness for attention or sympathy, and pain disorder involves chronic pain that is not fully explainable by medical conditions.

Question 16

Current thought about somatoform and dissociative disorders suggests that both have are characterized by physical symptoms and/or behavior thought to be caused or exacerbated by elevated serotonin levels.

Accepted Answer

The current thought about somatoform and dissociative disorders suggests that both are characterized by physical symptoms and/or behavior that cannot be fully explained by a medical condition or substance use. The exact cause of these disorders is not fully understood, but it is not believed to be solely due to elevated serotonin levels.

Question 17

The DSM-IV-TR provides for a diagnosis of pain disorder

Accepted Answer

The DSM-IV-TR allows for a diagnosis of pain disorder regardless of whether there is a medical condition present, as long as psychological factors are judged to play a significant role in the onset, severity, exacerbation, or maintenance of the pain.

Question 18

Plato believed that the dissociative and somatoform disorders were caused by a wandering uterus.

Accepted Answer

Plato believed in the concept of "wandering uterus" or "hystera" which he thought caused many physical and psychological disorders in women, including the dissociative and somatoform disorders.

Question 19

Somatic disorders were at one time viewed as masked

Accepted Answer

Somatic disorders were previously thought to be caused by psychological conflicts that were not consciously acknowledged or addressed, leading to physical symptoms as a way of expressing emotional distress.

Question 20

Compared with panic disorder suffers, those with hypochondriasis are more likely to be

Accepted Answer

Individuals with hypochondriasis tend to be more concerned about the long-term implications of their symptoms, while individuals with panic disorder tend to be more concerned with the immediate effects of an attack. Hypochondriasis is also often focused on specific diseases or conditions, such as heart disease, whereas panic disorder tends to involve more generalized anxiety. Agoraphobia can occur in both disorders but is more commonly associated with panic disorder.

Quiz 6: Dissociative and Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders