Which of the following is a cognitive feature commonly observed in individuals with somatoform disorders?

• A. Persistent avoidance of social situations
• B. Frequent hallucinations and delusions
• C. A tendency to misinterpret normal bodily sensations as signs of serious illness
• D. Elevated mood and increased energy

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the nature of somatoform disorders, which are characterized by physical symptoms that suggest illness or injury but cannot be fully explained by a medical condition.
2. Step 2: Recognize that cognitive features refer to patterns of thinking or mental processes associated with the disorder.
3. Step 3: Identify that individuals with somatoform disorders often have a cognitive tendency to misinterpret normal bodily sensations as indications of serious illness, which is a key feature of these disorders.
4. Step 4: Compare this cognitive feature with the other options: persistent avoidance of social situations is more typical of anxiety disorders; frequent hallucinations and delusions are characteristic of psychotic disorders; elevated mood and increased energy are symptoms of mood disorders like mania.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the cognitive feature commonly observed in somatoform disorders is the tendency to misinterpret normal bodily sensations as signs of serious illness.