Somatic symptom disorders: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Somatic symptom disorders

Sample item

A patient has distressing physical symptoms and spends excessive time and anxiety on health despite repeated appropriate reassurance. Which diagnosis is most likely?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Somatic symptom disorder

Somatic symptom disorder requires one or more distressing symptoms plus disproportionate thoughts, feelings or behaviours related to them. Symptoms are not intentionally produced.

Option by option

  • A. Factitious disorder

    Factitious disorder involves intentional production or falsification to assume the sick role.

  • B. Somatic symptom disorder (correct)

    Correct. Real symptoms plus excessive preoccupation fit somatic symptom disorder.

  • C. Malingering

    Malingering involves intentional production for external gain.

  • D. Illness anxiety disorder only

    Illness anxiety disorder has minimal or absent somatic symptoms.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is B, Somatic symptom disorder. Somatic symptom disorder requires one or more distressing symptoms plus disproportionate thoughts, feelings or behaviours related to them.

Why is "Factitious disorder" not the answer?

Factitious disorder involves intentional production or falsification to assume the sick role.

Why is "Malingering" not the answer?

Malingering involves intentional production for external gain.

Why is "Illness anxiety disorder only" not the answer?

Illness anxiety disorder has minimal or absent somatic symptoms.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Somatic symptom disorders in Psychiatry. Symptoms are not intentionally produced.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Somatic symptom disorders?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.