Final answer:
Sharon may be diagnosed with hypochondriasis, a condition characterized by the worry of serious illness in the absence of significant physical symptoms, and not to be confused with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or dissociative identity disorder. So the correct answer is option (A).
Step-by-step explanation:
If a student named Sharon complains of having 14 physical symptoms but her doctor indicates there is nothing physically wrong with her, she may be diagnosed with hypochondriasis. This condition, now often referred to as illness anxiety disorder, is a mental disorder characterized by excessive worry about having a serious illness despite having no or only mild symptoms and with medical evaluation not supporting the presence of a significant physical illness.
It is important to distinguish hypochondriasis from other mental disorders. Bipolar disorder is characterized by dramatic shifts in mood and energy levels, affecting daily functioning. Schizophrenia involves symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and impaired thinking.
Dissociative identity disorder is marked by the presence of two or more distinct personality states. The American Psychiatric Association's DSM is used for diagnosis, with updated versions reflecting the current understanding of mental health disorders.