In Somatic Symptom Disorder, therapy aims to shift the focus from symptom elimination to:

• A. Complete symptom resolution.
• B. Functional status, coping, and reducing symptom preoccupation.
• C. Symptom amplification.
• D. Avoidance of care.

Answer: (B)

The focus of therapy for Somatic Symptom Disorder is to improve functioning by teaching coping strategies and reducing preoccupation with symptoms. Patients often remain distressed even after medical reassurance, so effective treatment targets how they respond to symptoms—shifting attention away from symptom elimination toward maintaining daily activities, reducing excessive worry about bodily signals, and using adaptive coping skills. Cognitive-behavioral approaches help reinterpret sensations, decrease catastrophizing, and gradually increase activity, which can lessen the impact of symptoms on quality of life.

Complete symptom resolution isn’t the realistic aim, since symptoms may persist; aiming for total elimination would set an unattainable goal and undermine progress. Symptom amplification would worsen distress, and avoidance of care can lead to neglect of real medical needs and reinforce sick-role behaviors.