DSM-5: Somatic and Elimination Disorders-HS

Course overview

These two chapters in the DSM-5 may have little in common in terms of symptoms, but they are both chapters that include disorders that impact a broad cross-section of the population and include physical symptoms manifesting cognitive and emotional distress. Somatic Symptom Disorder and the other related disorders that are grouped together all focus on disorders that manifest through somatic symptoms. Elimination disorders, typically occurring in childhood, are characterized by elimination of urine or feces that is inappropriate given the individual’s age and level of development. While both of these chapters include disorders with symptoms that likely will lead to a trip to the primary doctor first, all of these disorders have underlying psychological causes that create significant impairment in daily life. This course will discuss diagnostic criteria, primary symptoms, and differentiation between all of the included disorders in both of these categories.