Week 2 Discussion question

Due October 1 at 11:59 PM

The discussion assignment provides a forum to discuss the relevant topics for this week based on the course competencies covered. For this assignment, there are two parts. Make sure to answer all questions. Provide a detailed response to the topic questions in the Discussion Area. For this assignment, post your responses directly in the Discussion Area by the due date assigned. Do not use attached documents.

To support your work, make sure to utilize your course and text readings. When asked, also utilize outside sources. As in all assignments, make sure to cite your sources in your work and provide references for those citations utilizing APA format.

Start reviewing and responding to the postings of your classmates as early in the week as possible. Respond to at least two of your classmates. Participate in the discussion by asking a question, providing a statement of clarification, providing a point of view with a rationale, challenging an aspect of the discussion, or indicating a relationship between one or more lines of reasoning in the discussion. Complete your participation for this assignment by the end of the week.

Somatic symptom disorder has a long history. Sigmund Freud described a case of Anna, who displayed several physical conditions (e.g., pain, dizziness, numbness, and visual disturbances) with no apparent medical cause. Also, schizophrenia is not actually one single disorder but a spectrum of disorders that fall along a continuum of symptoms and functioning levels.

• Describe somatic symptom disorder, and if the disorder can be diagnosed if the person has an actual physical illness.


• Describe the basic criteria for schizophrenia based on the current DSM criteria. Explain the differences between negative and positive symptoms.


• Explain the prognosis of an individual diagnosed with schizophrenia based on age and gender factors.