Which of the following is NOT listed as a treatment for Somatic Symptoms Disorder?

Study for the NCMHCE DSM-5 Disorders Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question includes hints and explanations. Prepare for success!

Treating Somatic Symptom Disorder centers on changing how the person thinks about and responds to symptoms, rather than relying on medications. Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps patients reinterpret and neutralize excessive symptom focus, reduce catastrophic thinking, and adopt coping strategies that limit symptom-related distress. Behavioral therapy applies techniques to increase engagement in healthy activities and reduce avoidance or symptom-driven behaviors that maintain distress. Psychoeducation provides clear information about how somatic symptoms function, what to expect from treatment, and how to effectively manage symptoms within a supportive medical framework. Medications don’t target the core features of Somatic Symptom Disorder itself; they’re typically used only to treat co-occurring conditions such as depression or anxiety, or to address related symptoms, rather than to treat the somatic symptoms directly. Therefore, pharmacotherapy is not listed as a primary treatment for this disorder.