Which statement describes prognosis factors for SSD or IAD?

• A. Late intervention, poor coping skills, and limited support.
• B. Strong family involvement is a guaranteed predictor of good prognosis.
• C. Reliance on medication alone.
• D. Early intervention, good coping skills, strong social support, fewer comorbidities, and effective CBT-based treatment.

Answer: (D)

Favorable prognosis in SSD and IAD comes from a timely, psychosocially integrated approach and evidence-based psychotherapy. Early intervention helps prevent the solidifying of illness beliefs and symptom amplification, so patients adapt and recover more quickly. Good coping skills empower individuals to manage distress without escalating somatic worry, while strong social support provides practical and emotional resources that sustain engagement in treatment. Fewer comorbidities mean the clinical picture is simpler and more responsive to therapy. And using CBT-based treatment directly addresses the maladaptive thoughts and behaviors—like excessive illness worry and symptom catastrophizing—leading to better functioning and relief of symptoms.

In contrast, late intervention, poor coping, and limited support are associated with worse outcomes because distress persists longer, maladaptive patterns remain unaddressed, and the person has fewer resources to navigate treatment. Relying on medication alone doesn’t target the cognitive-behavioral processes maintaining SSD or IAD, so it’s not typically linked to the best prognosis. While family involvement can help, it isn’t a guaranteed predictor of good outcomes.