Anxiety and related disorders: managing somatic symptom disorder: 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 · Anxiety and related disorders: managing somatic symptom disorder

Sample item

A 45-year-old woman has had multiple unexplained symptoms for years, visits several doctors and calls the clinic whenever new symptoms appear. Investigations are repeatedly normal. Which management strategy is most helpful?

ARepeating investigations to reassure herBRegular brief appointments with one doctor, irrespective of symptomsCReferral to a new specialist at each visitDAppointments only when symptoms are severe

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Regular brief appointments with one doctor, irrespective of symptoms

In somatic symptom disorder, scheduled visits with a single physician reduce symptom-driven help seeking and doctor shopping. Repeated tests and new referrals reinforce illness behaviour, and the aim is functioning rather than cure of symptoms.

Option by option

A. Repeating investigations to reassure her
Repeated investigations reinforce the belief in a hidden disease.
B. Regular brief appointments with one doctor, irrespective of symptoms (correct)
Correct. Fixed visits with one doctor break the link between symptoms and attention.
C. Referral to a new specialist at each visit
Changing specialists encourages doctor shopping and fragmented care.
D. Appointments only when symptoms are severe
Contingent appointments reward symptom escalation.

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.

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is B, Regular brief appointments with one doctor, irrespective of symptoms. In somatic symptom disorder, scheduled visits with a single physician reduce symptom-driven help seeking and doctor shopping.

Why is "Repeating investigations to reassure her" not the answer?

Repeated investigations reinforce the belief in a hidden disease.

Why is "Referral to a new specialist at each visit" not the answer?

Changing specialists encourages doctor shopping and fragmented care.

Why is "Appointments only when symptoms are severe" not the answer?

Contingent appointments reward symptom escalation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Anxiety and related disorders: managing somatic symptom disorder in Psychiatry. Repeated tests and new referrals reinforce illness behaviour, and the aim is functioning rather than cure of symptoms.

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 Anxiety and related disorders: managing somatic symptom disorder?

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.