Social Work Examination Services (SWES) Human Behavior Practice Test

A woman who is excessively worried about undetected serious health issues despite negative medical tests is most likely experiencing which diagnosis?

1. Somatization disorder

2. Hypochondriasis

3. Generalized anxiety disorder

4. Conversion disorder

The correct answer is: Hypochondriasis

The woman in this scenario is likely experiencing hypochondriasis, which is now recognized in the DSM-5 as illness anxiety disorder. This diagnosis is characterized by excessive preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness, despite evidence to the contrary, such as negative medical test results. Individuals with this disorder often interpret normal bodily sensations as signs of serious health issues, leading to significant distress or impairment in their daily lives. In this case, the key aspect of hypochondriasis is the persistent anxiety about health, coupled with the individual's strong belief that they may have undetected serious health problems. The concern remains even when medical tests show no evidence of illness, highlighting the distorted perception of health and illness that defines this condition. The other options describe different conditions: somatization disorder involves physical symptoms that cannot be fully explained by a medical condition, generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive worry across various domains of life, and conversion disorder presents as neurological symptoms without a clear medical cause. None of these align with the specific focus on health anxiety seen in hypochondriasis.