Which term best describes intentional symptom fabrication not listed as a DSM diagnosis?

• A. Illness Anxiety Disorder
• B. Somatic Symptom Disorder
• C. Malingering
• D. Factitious Disorder

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is distinguishing intentional fabrication of symptoms for an external goal from other somatic-related presentations. The term that best fits intentional symptom fabrication for an external incentive—and which is not itself a DSM diagnosis—is malingering. It describes consciously feigning or fabricating symptoms to gain something outside of medical treatment, such as avoiding work, obtaining financial compensation, or evading legal or military duties.

This differs from somatic symptom disorder, where the person genuinely experiences distressing symptoms and related thoughts and behaviors, not deliberate fabrication. It also differs from illness anxiety disorder, where the concern is about having or acquiring a serious illness with little to no actual somatic symptoms. Factitious disorder involves intentional production or feigning of symptoms to assume the sick role, but the motivation is internal (psychological need to be seen as ill), not external gain, and it is itself a DSM-defined condition.