Illness anxiety disorder differs from somatic symptom disorder in that illness anxiety is worried about getting a disease but no symptoms. Which option best reflects this distinction?

Illness anxiety disorder differs from somatic symptom disorder in that illness anxiety is worried about getting a disease but no symptoms. Which option best reflects this distinction?

• A. Worries about disease with pain
• B. Worries about disease with no symptoms
• C. No concerns about disease
• D. Existence of functional symptoms

Answer: (B)

Illness anxiety disorder centers on preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness, with little or no physical symptoms. The phrase “worries about disease with no symptoms” best captures this focus—a health-related anxiety without significant somatic complaints. In contrast, somatic symptom disorder involves actual somatic symptoms that are distressing and lead to disproportionate thoughts, feelings, or behaviors about those symptoms. The other options imply the presence of symptoms (pain or functional symptoms) or no concern at all, which doesn’t reflect the illness-anxiety pattern.

Illness anxiety disorder centers on preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness, with little or no physical symptoms. The phrase “worries about disease with no symptoms” best captures this focus—a health-related anxiety without significant somatic complaints. In contrast, somatic symptom disorder involves actual somatic symptoms that are distressing and lead to disproportionate thoughts, feelings, or behaviors about those symptoms. The other options imply the presence of symptoms (pain or functional symptoms) or no concern at all, which doesn’t reflect the illness-anxiety pattern.