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Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

9 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

9 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Discuss the characteristics and diagnostic criteria of somatic symptom and related disorders.

  • Describe the prevalence and demographics for somatic symptom and related disorders.

  • Describe the correlates and risk factors that may help explain the origins of somatic symptom and related disorders.

Details to know

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Recently updated!

June 2026

Assessments

11 assignments

Taught in English

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Eating, Sleep, Trauma, and Somatic Symptom Disorders Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
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There are 8 modules in this course

Discover the fascinating connection between the human mind and body in Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders, offered by the American Psychological Association. This foundational course is designed for curious learners who want to understand how psychological distress can manifest as real, physical symptoms.

By completing this course, you will gain a compassionate, well-rounded perspective on these frequently misunderstood conditions to improve your overall mental health awareness. This course will empower you to recognize the impact of somatic disorders, navigate conversations with empathy, and advocate for better psychological well-being in your community. You will first learn to explain how psychological disorders are diagnosed and discuss the unique challenges that arise during the diagnostic process. From there, you will learn the diagnostic criteria that define somatic symptom and related disorders. You will also explore the prevalence, demographics, risk factors, and correlates that help explain how these disorders develop, before concluding with a comprehensive look at how to describe the standard, evidence-based treatments used by medical professionals to manage somatic conditions.

This module introduces you to your PsycLearn Essentials course. Find out what’s included in this course and how to navigate the modules and lessons. You’ll also learn valuable study tips for successful learning.

What's included

8 readings

8 readings•Total 31 minutes
  • A Welcome Note From the PsycLearn Team•5 minutes
  • Welcome to PsycLearn Essentials•3 minutes
  • Survey: What Would You Like to See Next?•5 minutes
  • How to Earn Certificates•2 minutes
  • What’s in Your Course•5 minutes
  • Study Tips for Success in PsycLearn Essentials•5 minutes
  • Additional Information •5 minutes
  • Representation in Research•1 minute

This module provides an introduction to psychological disorders. Key terms, such as psychopathology and psychological disorder, are defined. The process of diagnosis is discussed and the two dominant diagnostic schemes in mental health are explained. Finally, cultural issues in diagnosis are identified.

What's included

3 videos6 readings2 assignments

3 videos•Total 10 minutes
  • Course Introduction and Learning Objectives•3 minutes
  • Psychological Disorders and Psychopathology•4 minutes
  • Symptoms, Syndromes, and Diagnoses•4 minutes
6 readings•Total 45 minutes
  • Important Information About the Course•5 minutes
  • Module Introduction and Learning Objectives•5 minutes
  • Follow-Up to Psychological Disorders and Psychopathology•10 minutes
  • Talking About People With Psychological Disorders•5 minutes
  • Standardizing Diagnoses•10 minutes
  • Key Takeaways: Introduction to Psychological Disorders•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 20 minutes
  • Check Your Understanding: Overview of Psychological Disorders•10 minutes
  • Module Quiz: Introduction to Psychological Disorders•10 minutes

This module provides an introduction to the general category of somatic symptom and related disorders, followed by a more detailed examination of somatic symptom disorder itself.

What's included

7 videos7 readings4 assignments

7 videos•Total 22 minutes
  • Somatic Symptom Disorder: A Physician's Perspective•2 minutes
  • Somatic Symptom Disorder: A Patient's Perspective•2 minutes
  • Identifying the Disorders•5 minutes
  • The Nature of Somatic Symptom Disorder•4 minutes
  • Meet Martin•4 minutes
  • Martin's Treatment•2 minutes
  • Miguel's Case•3 minutes
7 readings•Total 80 minutes
  • Module Introduction and Learning Objectives•5 minutes
  • The Psychological and the Physical•15 minutes
  • The Nature of Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders•10 minutes
  • Somatic Symptom Disorder: Overview•10 minutes
  • Somatic Symptom Disorder: Causes and Contributing Factors•10 minutes
  • Somatic Symptom Disorder: Treatment•10 minutes
  • Key Takeaways: Somatic Symptom Disorder•20 minutes
4 assignments•Total 54 minutes
  • Check Your Understanding: Introduction to Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders•8 minutes
  • Check Your Understanding: Introduction to Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders•14 minutes
  • Check Your Understanding: Somatic Symptom Disorder•12 minutes
  • Module Quiz: Somatic Symptom Disorder•20 minutes

This module explores the conditions included as related disorders in the DSM category, Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders.

What's included

5 videos12 readings4 assignments

5 videos•Total 21 minutes
  • The Nature of Illness Anxiety Disorder•4 minutes
  • Bridget's Case•4 minutes
  • The Nature of Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder•4 minutes
  • Caroline's Case•4 minutes
  • The Nature of Factitious Disorder and Malingering•5 minutes
12 readings•Total 63 minutes
  • Module Introduction and Learning Objectives•5 minutes
  • Illness Anxiety Disorder: Overview•3 minutes
  • Illness Anxiety Disorder: Causes and Contributing Factors•3 minutes
  • Illness Anxiety Disorder: Treatment•3 minutes
  • Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder: Overview•5 minutes
  • Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder: Causes and Contributing Factors•3 minutes
  • Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder: Treatment•4 minutes
  • Factitious Disorder and Malingering: Overview•7 minutes
  • Factitious Disorder and Malingering: Causes and Contributing Factors•2 minutes
  • Factitious Disorder and Malingering: Treatment•2 minutes
  • Factitious Disorder and Malingering: Examples•6 minutes
  • Key Takeaways: Related Disorders•20 minutes
4 assignments•Total 76 minutes
  • Check Your Understanding: Illness Anxiety•22 minutes
  • Check Your Understanding: Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder•16 minutes
  • Check Your Understanding: Factitious Disorder and Malingering•14 minutes
  • Module Quiz: Somatic Related Disorders•24 minutes

This module will help you review the important concepts of the course and prepare you for the cumulative quiz. The module is broken down by learning objective, with each lesson containing key takeaways and key terms relevant to that learning objective.

What's included

13 readings

13 readings•Total 76 minutes
  • Welcome to the Course Summary•5 minutes
  • Key Takeaways•10 minutes
  • Key Terms•5 minutes
  • Key Takeaways•5 minutes
  • Key Terms•4 minutes
  • Key Takeaways•10 minutes
  • Key Terms•5 minutes
  • Key Takeaways•5 minutes
  • Key Takeaways•7 minutes
  • Key Takeaways•6 minutes
  • Key Terms•2 minutes
  • Key Takeaways•10 minutes
  • Key Terms•2 minutes

This module contains a quiz covering all of the material in this course. It will count for 30% of your total course grade, so make sure you’ve reviewed the material well. Good luck!

What's included

1 reading1 assignment

1 reading•Total 5 minutes
  • Instructor's Note: Next Steps•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
  • Cumulative Quiz: Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders•30 minutes

This module contains a glossary, course references, and a list of contributors to the course.

What's included

3 readings

3 readings•Total 3 minutes
  • Glossary: Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders•1 minute
  • References: Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders•1 minute
  • Contributors: Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders•1 minute

What's included

8 readings

8 readings•Total 19 minutes
  • Introduction to APA Resources•5 minutes
  • Student Resources•2 minutes
  • APA Style®, Research, and Writing•2 minutes
  • Students from Diverse Ethnic, Cultural, and Economic Backgrounds•2 minutes
  • Psychology Help Center•2 minutes
  • Psychology Careers•2 minutes
  • Careers and Internships at APA•2 minutes
  • Other APA Resources•2 minutes

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Instructors

American Psychological Association
15 Courses•52,346 learners
American Psychological Association
15 Courses•22,088 learners

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Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

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