Which of the following best describes the differences in cognitive factors associated with somatoform disorders compared to other psychological disorders?

• A. People with somatoform disorders typically have no cognitive distortions and attribute their symptoms solely to external causes.
• B. Cognitive factors in somatoform disorders primarily involve deficits in memory and attention unrelated to bodily symptoms.
• C. Individuals with somatoform disorders tend to misinterpret normal bodily sensations as signs of serious illness, leading to excessive health-related anxiety.
• D. Somatoform disorders are characterized by a complete lack of concern or preoccupation with physical symptoms.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand what somatoform disorders are. These are psychological disorders where individuals experience physical symptoms that cannot be fully explained by a medical condition, and these symptoms cause significant distress or impairment.
2. Step 2: Recognize the role of cognitive factors in somatoform disorders. Cognitive factors refer to how individuals perceive, interpret, and think about their bodily sensations and symptoms.
3. Step 3: Compare cognitive patterns in somatoform disorders with those in other psychological disorders. In somatoform disorders, individuals often misinterpret normal bodily sensations as signs of serious illness, which is a specific type of cognitive distortion related to health anxiety.
4. Step 4: Note that this misinterpretation leads to excessive worry and preoccupation with health, which differentiates somatoform disorders from other disorders where cognitive distortions might involve different themes (e.g., negative self-beliefs in depression).
5. Step 5: Conclude that the best description of cognitive differences is that individuals with somatoform disorders tend to misinterpret normal bodily sensations as serious illness signs, causing excessive health-related anxiety.