PSYC 510 Test #1 Questions and
Correct Answers
What are the diagnostic criteria for Somatic Symptom Disorder? - <CORRECT ANSWER >>A. One
or more somatic symptoms that are distressing or result in a significant disruption of daily life
B. Excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to the somatic symptoms or associated
health concerns as manifested by at least one of the following:
1. Disproportionate and persistent thoughts about the seriousness of one's symptoms
2. Persistently high level of anxiety about health or symptoms
3. Excessive time and energy devoted to these symptoms or health concerns
C. Although any one somatic symptom may not be continuously present, the state of being
symptomatic is persisten (typically more than 6 months)
What are the specifiers for Somatic Symptom Disorder? - <CORRECT ANSWER >>- With
predominant pain: (for individuals whose somatic symptoms predominantly involve pain)
- Persistent: a persistent course is characterized by severe symptoms, marked impairment,
and long duration (more than 6 months)
Mild: Only one of the symptoms specified in Criterion B is fulfilled
Moderate: Two or more of the symptoms specified in Criterion B are fulfilled
Severe: Two or more of the symptoms specified in Criterion B are fulfilled plus there are
multiple somatic complaints (or one very severe somatic symptom)
What are the criteria for Illness Anxiety Disorder? - <CORRECT ANSWER >>A. Preoccupation
with having or acquiring a serious illness.
B. Somatic symptoms are not present or if present, are only mild in intensity. If another
medical condition is present or there is a high risk for developing a medical condition
(e.g., strong family history is present), the preoccupation is clearly excessive or
disproportionate.
C. There is a high level of anxiety about health, and the individual is easily alarmed about
, personal health status.
D. The individual performs excessive health-related behaviours (e.g., repeatedly checks his
or her body for signs of illness) or exhibits maladaptive avoidance (e.g, avoids doctor
appointments and hospitals).
E. Illness preoccupation has been present for at least 6 months, but the specific illness that is
feared may change over that period of time.
F. The illness-related preoccupation is not better explained by another mental disorder
What are the specifiers for Illness Anxiety Disorder? - <CORRECT ANSWER >>Care-seeking type:
medical care, including physician visits or undergoing tests and procedures, is frequently used
Care-avoidant type: medical care is rarely used
What is the important distinction between Illness Anxiety Disorder and Somatic Symptom
Disorder? - <CORRECT ANSWER >>With Illness Anxiety Disorder, the individual's stress
emanates not primarily from the physical complaint itself but rather his or her anxiety about
the meaning, significance, or cause of the complaint
What are the diagnostic criteria for Conversion Disorder (Functional Neurological Symptom
Disorder) - <CORRECT ANSWER >>A. One or more symptoms of altered voluntary motor or
sensory function.
B. Clinical findings provide evidence of incompatibility between the symptom and
recognized neurological or medical conditions.
C. The symptom or deficit is not better explained by another medical or mental disorder.
D. The symptom or deficit causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social,
occupational, or other important areas of functioning or warrants medical evaluation.
What are the symptom types for Conversion Disorder? - <CORRECT ANSWER >>With weakness
or paralysis
With abnormal movement
With swallowing symptoms
Correct Answers
What are the diagnostic criteria for Somatic Symptom Disorder? - <CORRECT ANSWER >>A. One
or more somatic symptoms that are distressing or result in a significant disruption of daily life
B. Excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to the somatic symptoms or associated
health concerns as manifested by at least one of the following:
1. Disproportionate and persistent thoughts about the seriousness of one's symptoms
2. Persistently high level of anxiety about health or symptoms
3. Excessive time and energy devoted to these symptoms or health concerns
C. Although any one somatic symptom may not be continuously present, the state of being
symptomatic is persisten (typically more than 6 months)
What are the specifiers for Somatic Symptom Disorder? - <CORRECT ANSWER >>- With
predominant pain: (for individuals whose somatic symptoms predominantly involve pain)
- Persistent: a persistent course is characterized by severe symptoms, marked impairment,
and long duration (more than 6 months)
Mild: Only one of the symptoms specified in Criterion B is fulfilled
Moderate: Two or more of the symptoms specified in Criterion B are fulfilled
Severe: Two or more of the symptoms specified in Criterion B are fulfilled plus there are
multiple somatic complaints (or one very severe somatic symptom)
What are the criteria for Illness Anxiety Disorder? - <CORRECT ANSWER >>A. Preoccupation
with having or acquiring a serious illness.
B. Somatic symptoms are not present or if present, are only mild in intensity. If another
medical condition is present or there is a high risk for developing a medical condition
(e.g., strong family history is present), the preoccupation is clearly excessive or
disproportionate.
C. There is a high level of anxiety about health, and the individual is easily alarmed about
, personal health status.
D. The individual performs excessive health-related behaviours (e.g., repeatedly checks his
or her body for signs of illness) or exhibits maladaptive avoidance (e.g, avoids doctor
appointments and hospitals).
E. Illness preoccupation has been present for at least 6 months, but the specific illness that is
feared may change over that period of time.
F. The illness-related preoccupation is not better explained by another mental disorder
What are the specifiers for Illness Anxiety Disorder? - <CORRECT ANSWER >>Care-seeking type:
medical care, including physician visits or undergoing tests and procedures, is frequently used
Care-avoidant type: medical care is rarely used
What is the important distinction between Illness Anxiety Disorder and Somatic Symptom
Disorder? - <CORRECT ANSWER >>With Illness Anxiety Disorder, the individual's stress
emanates not primarily from the physical complaint itself but rather his or her anxiety about
the meaning, significance, or cause of the complaint
What are the diagnostic criteria for Conversion Disorder (Functional Neurological Symptom
Disorder) - <CORRECT ANSWER >>A. One or more symptoms of altered voluntary motor or
sensory function.
B. Clinical findings provide evidence of incompatibility between the symptom and
recognized neurological or medical conditions.
C. The symptom or deficit is not better explained by another medical or mental disorder.
D. The symptom or deficit causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social,
occupational, or other important areas of functioning or warrants medical evaluation.
What are the symptom types for Conversion Disorder? - <CORRECT ANSWER >>With weakness
or paralysis
With abnormal movement
With swallowing symptoms
