Psychosomatic illness is an outdated term that is no longer used. In the past the term was used to refer to physical illnesses that were caused or made worse by psychological problems. Now the terms used are psychological factors affecting medical conditions. These factors affect health in different ways. Some may cause a medical problem. Others block necessary treatments for medical problems. A third type increases health risks for the person with the problem.

Some factors can cause stress-related physical responses. Sometimes these psychological factors may be true psychological disorders that affect a medical condition. An example would be someone who is so depressed that they cannot follow the steps to take care of their diabetes.

Sometimes the factors are psychological symptoms, rather than disorders. An example would be someone whose anxiety makes their irritable bowel syndrome worse. Personal styles or ways of coping can affect medical problems, too. An example would be someone in denial who does not change his eating or exercise habits after a heart attack.

Poor health behaviours can be factors. An example would be a person who keeps having unsafe sex in spite of getting sexually transmitted diseases.

Sometimes a person's body reacts physically to stress. This can be a factor that affects a medical problem, as well. An example would be someone who has heart problems but gets severe chest pain when stressed.

There is a close connection between our bodies and our minds. If a person has a psychological factor affecting a medical condition, it is important to treat the psychological problem as well as the medical problem. If a person has heart problems, medications and surgery may not be as important in the long run as diet and exercise.

If someone you care about knows what they need to do to take care of their health, but does not do it, they may need more help from their doctor. People with this disorder often make excuses for not taking care of their health. In the meantime, they are injuring or killing themselves.

If you are concerned about this kind of problem, discuss it with your doctor. Counselling or therapy with a mental health professional can often help people with this disorder.

Article #6759

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