Psychology MCAT Practice Exam

What type of disorder is characterized by medically unexplainable symptoms?

1. Factitious disorder

2. Conversion disorder

3. Somatic symptom disorder

4. Illness anxiety disorder

The correct answer is: Somatic symptom disorder

Somatic symptom disorder is characterized by the presence of one or more medically unexplained symptoms that cause significant distress or impairment. Individuals with this disorder may experience physical symptoms that are real to them, but these symptoms cannot be fully explained by a medical condition, meaning they persist in the absence of a diagnosable physical illness. The focus in somatic symptom disorder is on the subjective experience of the symptoms and the distress or dysfunction that arises from them. This disorder stands out as it emphasizes the psychological aspect of the physical symptoms, where the individual often genuinely believes they are suffering, despite medical evaluations finding no underlying condition. This can lead to increased healthcare utilization as the person seeks explanations for their suffering. The other options represent different conditions with distinct characteristics. Factitious disorder involves intentionally producing or feigning symptoms for a psychological benefit, Conversion disorder involves neurological symptoms that can be traced back to psychological conflicts, and Illness anxiety disorder is characterized by a preoccupation with having a serious illness despite little to no symptoms. Each of these conditions has a unique focus that differentiates them from somatic symptom disorder, reinforcing the idea that the physical symptoms in this condition are not explained by a medical diagnosis.