Personality and Mood Disorders Q 41
Which is the best indicator of success in the long-term management of the client with a somatic disorder?
A. His symptoms are replaced by indifference to his feelings.
B. He participates in diversionary activities.
C. He learns to verbalize his feelings and concerns.
D. He states that his behavior is irrational.
Correct Answer: C. He learns to verbalize his feelings and concerns.
The client is encouraged to talk about his feelings and concerns instead of using body symptoms to manage his stressors. Teach the client to reframe and dispute cognitive distortions. Disputes need to be strong, specific, and nonjudgmental. Practice and belief in the disputes over time help clients gain a more realistic appraisal of events, the world, and themselves.
Option A: The client is encouraged to acknowledge feelings rather than being indifferent to her feelings. Work with the client to recognize cognitive distortions. Encourage the client to keep a log. Cognitive distortions are automatic. Keeping a log helps make automatic, unconscious thinking clear.
Option B: Participation in activities diverts the client’s attention away from his bodily concerns but this is not the best indicator of success. Problem solve and role play with client acceptable social skills that will help obtain needs effectively and appropriately.
Option D: Help the client recognize that his physical symptoms occur because of or are exacerbated by specific stressor, not as irrational. Give the client honest and genuine feedback regarding your observations as to his or her strengths, and areas that could use additional skills. Feedback helps give clients a more accurate view of self, strengths, areas to work on, as well as a sense that someone is trying to understand them.