Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders

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Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders

This course is part of Eating, Sleep, Trauma, and Somatic Symptom Disorders Specialization

Instructors: Kyle Smith

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8 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

9 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

8 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

9 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Discuss the characteristics and diagnostic criteria of somatic symptom and related disorders.
Describe the prevalence and demographics for somatic symptom and related disorders.
Describe the correlates and risk factors that may help explain the origins of somatic symptom and related disorders.

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This course is part of the Eating, Sleep, Trauma, and Somatic Symptom Disorders Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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There are 8 modules in this course

Discover the fascinating connection between the human mind and body in Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders, offered by the American Psychological Association. This foundational course is designed for curious learners who want to understand how psychological distress can manifest as real, physical symptoms.

By completing this course, you will gain a compassionate, well-rounded perspective on these frequently misunderstood conditions to improve your overall mental health awareness. This course will empower you to recognize the impact of somatic disorders, navigate conversations with empathy, and advocate for better psychological well-being in your community. You will first learn to explain how psychological disorders are diagnosed and discuss the unique challenges that arise during the diagnostic process. From there, you will learn the diagnostic criteria that define somatic symptom and related disorders. You will also explore the prevalence, demographics, risk factors, and correlates that help explain how these disorders develop, before concluding with a comprehensive look at how to describe the standard, evidence-based treatments used by medical professionals to manage somatic conditions.

This module introduces you to your PsycLearn Essentials course. Find out what’s included in this course and how to navigate the modules and lessons. You’ll also learn valuable study tips for successful learning.

What's included

8 readings

This module provides an introduction to psychological disorders. Key terms, such as psychopathology and psychological disorder, are defined. The process of diagnosis is discussed and the two dominant diagnostic schemes in mental health are explained. Finally, cultural issues in diagnosis are identified.

What's included

3 videos6 readings2 assignments

3 videosTotal 10 minutes

Course Introduction and Learning Objectives3 minutes
Psychological Disorders and Psychopathology4 minutes
Symptoms, Syndromes, and Diagnoses4 minutes

6 readingsTotal 45 minutes

Important Information About the Course5 minutes
Module Introduction and Learning Objectives5 minutes
Follow-Up to Psychological Disorders and Psychopathology10 minutes
Talking About People With Psychological Disorders5 minutes
Standardizing Diagnoses10 minutes
Key Takeaways: Introduction to Psychological Disorders10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 20 minutes

Module Quiz: Introduction to Psychological Disorders10 minutes
Check Your Understanding: Overview of Psychological Disorders10 minutes

This module provides an introduction to the general category of somatic symptom and related disorders, followed by a more detailed examination of somatic symptom disorder itself.

What's included

7 videos7 readings4 assignments

7 videosTotal 22 minutes

Somatic Symptom Disorder: A Physician's Perspective2 minutes
Somatic Symptom Disorder: A Patient's Perspective2 minutes
Identifying the Disorders5 minutes
The Nature of Somatic Symptom Disorder4 minutes
Meet Martin4 minutes
Martin's Treatment2 minutes
Miguel's Case3 minutes

7 readingsTotal 80 minutes

Module Introduction and Learning Objectives5 minutes
The Psychological and the Physical15 minutes
The Nature of Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders10 minutes
Somatic Symptom Disorder: Overview10 minutes
Somatic Symptom Disorder: Causes and Contributing Factors10 minutes
Somatic Symptom Disorder: Treatment10 minutes
Key Takeaways: Somatic Symptom Disorder20 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 54 minutes

Module Quiz: Somatic Symptom Disorder20 minutes
Check Your Understanding: Introduction to Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders8 minutes
Check Your Understanding: Introduction to Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders14 minutes
Check Your Understanding: Somatic Symptom Disorder12 minutes

This module explores the conditions included as related disorders in the DSM category, Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders.

What's included

5 videos12 readings4 assignments

5 videosTotal 21 minutes

The Nature of Illness Anxiety Disorder4 minutes
Bridget's Case4 minutes
The Nature of Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder4 minutes
Caroline's Case4 minutes
The Nature of Factitious Disorder and Malingering5 minutes

12 readingsTotal 63 minutes

Module Introduction and Learning Objectives5 minutes
Illness Anxiety Disorder: Overview3 minutes
Illness Anxiety Disorder: Causes and Contributing Factors3 minutes
Illness Anxiety Disorder: Treatment3 minutes
Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder: Overview5 minutes
Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder: Causes and Contributing Factors3 minutes
Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder: Treatment4 minutes
Factitious Disorder and Malingering: Overview7 minutes
Factitious Disorder and Malingering: Causes and Contributing Factors2 minutes
Factitious Disorder and Malingering: Treatment2 minutes
Factitious Disorder and Malingering: Examples6 minutes
Key Takeaways: Related Disorders20 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 76 minutes

Module Quiz: Somatic Related Disorders24 minutes
Check Your Understanding: Illness Anxiety22 minutes
Check Your Understanding: Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder16 minutes
Check Your Understanding: Factitious Disorder and Malingering14 minutes

This module will help you review the important concepts of the course and prepare you for the cumulative quiz. The module is broken down by learning objective, with each lesson containing key takeaways and key terms relevant to that learning objective.

What's included

13 readings

This module contains a quiz covering all of the material in this course. It will count for 30% of your total course grade, so make sure you’ve reviewed the material well. Good luck!

What's included

1 reading1 assignment

This module contains a glossary, course references, and a list of contributors to the course.

What's included

3 readings

What's included

8 readings

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Instructors

Kyle Smith

American Psychological Association

15 Courses51,689 learners

Mike Stadler, PhD

American Psychological Association

15 Courses21,875 learners

Offered by

American Psychological Association

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Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.