Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders

Somatic symptom and related disorders are characterized by prominent physical symptoms accompanied by significant mental distress and impairment. This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the clinical, psychological, and diagnostic frameworks of these conditions. Students will begin by learning how psychological disorders are diagnosed within clinical settings, and the complex ethical, cultural, and diagnostic issues that arise when classifying individuals with mental health conditions.

Moving into specialized concepts, the course examines the defining characteristics, diagnostic criteria, and clinical features of somatic symptom and related disorders. The course presents current epidemiological data to understand the overall prevalence and demographic patterns associated with these conditions across diverse populations.

Furthermore, the curriculum investigates the complex biopsychosocial correlates and biological or environmental risk factors that help explain the origins and development of somatic symptoms. Finally, the course presents evidence-based therapeutic interventions and medical management strategies used to effectively treat somatic symptom and related disorders.

Learning objectives

• Explain how psychological disorders are diagnosed.
• Discuss issues that arise when diagnosing people with a disorder.
• Discuss the characteristics of somatic symptom and related disorders.
• Describe the prevalence and demographics for somatic symptom and related disorders.
• List the diagnostic criteria for somatic symptom and related disorders.
• Describe the correlates and risk factors that may help explain the origins of somatic symptom and related disorders.
• Describe treatments for somatic symptom and related disorders.