Which statement best differentiates SSD treatment goals from IAD treatment goals?

• A. SSD aims at symptom acceptance and functional restoration; IAD aims at reducing health-related avoidance and reassurance-seeking.
• B. SSD aims at eliminating all symptoms; IAD aims at indefinite monitoring.
• C. Both aims identical.
• D. SSD relies on medication; IAD relies on therapy.

Answer: (A)

The main concept here is how treatment goals differ between somatic symptom disorder and illness-related anxiety (IAD). In somatic symptom disorder, the focus of treatment is on accepting the persistent, distressing symptoms and restoring functioning in daily life. The aim isn’t to eliminate every symptom, but to reduce the distress and impairment they cause, so the person can engage in work, relationships, and activities with a better quality of life.

In illness anxiety disorder, the goal shifts to reducing health-related preoccupation and maladaptive behaviors such as avoidance and excessive reassurance seeking. The emphasis is on tolerating uncertainty about health, decreasing medical checking, and limiting reassurance-seeking behaviors so the person isn’t pulled into excessive doctor visits or tests.

That contrast makes the statement correct: somatic symptom disorder targets symptom acceptance and functional restoration, while illness anxiety disorder targets reducing avoidance and reassurance-seeking. Other options misrepresent the aims—for example, aiming to eliminate all symptoms in SSD isn’t realistic, indefinite monitoring isn’t the hallmark of IAD treatment, the two conditions don’t have identical goals, and treatment plans aren’t defined by reliance on medication alone.