A female client with anorexia nervosa and a cardiac condition was prescribed an antidepressant before she regained weight during her treatment course. The nurse should be aware of the possibility of which condition in this client?

C Somatoform disorders are characterized by physical symptoms that suggest a medical condition but cannot be fully explained by a general medical condition, another mental disorder, or substance use. Individuals with somatoform disorders often experience distress or impairment due to these symptoms despite medical reassurance that no physical cause can be found.

A. Dysthymia is a type of persistent depressive disorder characterized by a depressed mood that lasts for at least two years. It typically involves emotional and behavioral symptoms rather than physical symptoms without clinical findings.

B. Body dysmorphic disorder involves a preoccupation with perceived defects or flaws in physical appearance that are not observable or appear slight to others. While it involves body image concerns, it does not manifest as physical symptoms in the absence of objective findings.

D. Major depressive disorder primarily involves mood disturbances such as sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, and changes in appetite or sleep. While physical symptoms like fatigue and changes in weight can occur, they are not typically reported persistently without objective clinical findings as seen in somatoform disorders.

C. Hypochondriasis can strain interpersonal relationships due to excessive preoccupation with health concerns, frequent doctor visits, and seeking reassurance from others.

D. Hypochondriasis often follows a chronic course with periods of intense anxiety about health alternating with periods of relative calm. Despite reassurances and negative medical tests, individuals with hypochondriasis may continue to worry about their health

A. Hypochondriasis typically develops in adulthood rather than childhood. It involves persistent anxiety about health and the interpretation of normal bodily sensations as signs of serious illness. Childhood is less commonly associated with the onset of hypochondriasis.

B. While stress can exacerbate symptoms of hypochondriasis, it is not typically diagnosed immediately following a specific stressor. The disorder often develops gradually over time due to a combination of factors, including anxiety, personality traits, and past experiences with illness.

E. There is no consistent evidence suggesting that exposure to serious illness in childhood predisposes individuals to hypochondriasis. The disorder is more associated with individual psychological factors, cognitive biases, and anxiety sensitivity rather than childhood illness exposure.