Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders

About 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.

Course objectives

• improve mental health awareness
• advocate for psychological well-being in the community
• navigate conversations about somatic disorders empathetically