A nurse is discussing treatment approaches for somatic symptom illnesses. Which therapy is commonly used to address underlying emotional factors and manage symptoms?

Choice A rationale:

Conversion disorder. Conversion disorder involves the presence of neurological symptoms, such as paralysis, blindness, or seizures, that cannot be explained by a medical condition. These symptoms typically reflect an unconscious psychological conflict or need. The nurse should be familiar with this disorder as it falls within the category of somatic symptom illnesses.

Choice B rationale:

Unspecified somatic symptom and related disorder. Unspecified somatic symptom and related disorder is not a specific recognized disorder. This choice does not accurately describe a type of somatic symptom illness.

Choice C rationale:

Illness anxiety disorder. Illness anxiety disorder, formerly known as hypochondriasis, involves excessive worry and fear of having a serious illness despite minimal or no medical evidence. Individuals with this disorder often misinterpret bodily sensations as signs of a severe illness. The focus is on the fear of having an illness rather than intentional symptom production.

Choice D rationale:

Chronic medical condition disorder. Chronic medical condition disorder is not a recognized disorder within the somatic symptom illness category. This choice is not accurate in describing a type of somatic symptom illness.

Choice E rationale:

Somatic symptom disorder. Somatic symptom disorder involves distressing and disruptive physical symptoms that may or may not have an identifiable medical cause. The key characteristic is the disproportionate and excessive focus on the symptoms themselves, leading to impaired functioning. This disorder can include intentional symptom production but is not solely defined by it.

Choice A rationale:

Avoidance of distressing situations. This choice suggests that the primary motivation for the client's behavior is to avoid situations that cause distress. While this may be a factor in some cases of illness-related behaviors, it is not the primary motivation described in the scenario. The client's persistent fear and belief of having a serious illness despite minimal or no symptoms indicate a different underlying motivation.

Choice B rationale:

Intentional symptom production. This choice accurately captures the primary motivation for the client's behavior. Intentional symptom production refers to the deliberate creation or exaggeration of physical symptoms, often driven by psychological factors. In this case, the client's persistent fear and belief in having a serious illness point toward intentionally producing symptoms to validate their belief and seek attention or emotional relief.

Choice C rationale:

Seeking emotional relief. While seeking emotional relief may be a secondary motivation for some individuals with somatic symptom disorders, it is not the primary motivation described in the scenario. The client's behavior is primarily driven by the intentional production of symptoms and the associated beliefs, rather than a sole focus on emotional relief.

Choice D rationale:

Gaining attention and sympathy. While seeking attention and sympathy may be an outcome of the client's behavior, it is not the primary motivation. The client's behavior is rooted in their belief of having a serious illness, leading to intentional symptom production, rather than solely seeking attention or sympathy.