In this activity, you will analyze and describe diagnostic criteria for somatic symptom disorder and other related disorders.

Step 1. Analyze (30 minutes)

Review all the required learning material for this lesson, particularly as it relates to the following: 

• Somatic Symptom Disorder 
• Factitious Disorder

Analyze the diagnostic criteria for these two disorders: their similarities and differences.

Step 2. Respond (120 minutes)

 Prepare a 200-500-word white paper report that addresses the following key questions:

• How do you describe the criteria for diagnosing:
• Somatic symptom disorder
• Factitious disorder
• How different and similar are the criteria of these two disorders from each other?
• Based on diagnoses and other factors, when is referral for patients with somatic symptom disorder/factitious disorder needed?
• How are patients with these disorders referred to specialists? Briefly discuss the process.

Step 3. Share (10 minutes)

To share your work, click on the “Add a new discussion topic” button under this post and paste your work into the “Message” box. Make sure to reference others’ intellectual property when necessary. All references should follow 7th Edition APA formatting. For further instructions, see the resource on the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library: APA citation resource (N.B. references are excluded from word counts).

Step 4. Interact (10 minutes)

To complete the activity, you will need to reply to at least two posts made by your peers in a respectful and professional manner. Ensure that your post engages your peers' ideas by including a reflection on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential difficulties and parties involved, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to the forum.”