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Alternate titles: psychophysiologic disorder By The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Table of ContentsKey People:Franz Alexander...(Show more)Related Topics:mental disorder...(Show more) See all related content → psychosomatic disorder, also called Psychophysiologic Disorder, condition in which psychological stresses adversely affect physiological (somatic) functioning to the point of distress. It is a condition of dysfunction or structural damage in bodily organs through inappropriate activation of the involuntary nervous system and the glands of internal secretion. Thus, the psychosomatic symptom emerges as a physiological concomitant of an emotional state. In a state of rage, for example, the angry person’s blood pressure is likely to be elevated and his pulse and respiratory rate to be increased. When the anger passes, the heightened physiologic processes usually subside. If the person has a persistent inhibited aggression (chronic rage), however, which he is unable to express overtly, the emotional state remains unchanged, though unexpressed in the overt behaviour, and the physiological symptoms associated with the angry state persist. With time, such a person becomes aware of the physiological dysfunction. Very often he develops concern over the resulting physical signs and symptoms, but he denies or is unaware of the emotions that have evoked the symptoms. Psychosomatic disorders may affect almost any part of the body, though they are usually found in systems not under voluntary control. Research by psychiatrist Franz Alexander and his colleagues at the Chicago Institute of Psychoanalysis in the 1950s and 1960s suggested that specific personality traits and specific conflicts may create particular psychosomatic illnesses, but it is generally believed that the form a disorder takes is due to individual vulnerabilities. Emotional stress is assumed to aggravate existing illnesses, and there is some evidence that it may precipitate illnesses not usually considered to be psychosomatic (e.g., cancer, diabetes) in individuals predisposed to them. Britannica Quiz 44 Questions from Britannica’s Most Popular Health and Medicine QuizzesPsychosomatic disorders resulting from stress may include hypertension, respiratory ailments, gastrointestinal disturbances, migraine and tension headaches, pelvic pain, impotence, frigidity, dermatitis, and ulcers. Many patients suffering from psychosomatic diseases respond to a combination of drug therapy, psychoanalysis, and behaviour therapy. In less severe cases, patients can learn to manage stress without drugs. See also stress. Which disease can be considered a psychosomatic disorder brought about by stress?Psychosomatic disorders resulting from stress may include hypertension, respiratory ailments, gastrointestinal disturbances, migraine and tension headaches, pelvic pain, impotence, frigidity, dermatitis, and ulcers.
What are some psychosomatic diseases?Common examples include:. Fatigue.. Insomnia.. Aches and pains, such as muscle pain or back pain.. High blood pressure (hypertension).. Trouble breathing (dyspnea, or shortness of breath).. Indigestion (upset stomach).. Headaches and migraines.. Erectile dysfunction (impotence).. What is psychosomatic disease caused by?Psychosomatic illness, psychosomatic disorders, and psychosomatic symptoms are usually caused by medium to high levels of stress, anxiety, or depression. Simply put, it's a mind and body phenomenon — but it's also a little more complicated than that.
What are 3 psychosomatic responses to stress?Increased heart rate and respirations. Increased blood pressure. Upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea.
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