Psychological Factors in Physical Disorders

 Psychosocial factors- factors that are either psychological or sociocultural- may contribute to somatic, or bodily, illnesses in a variety of ways  Rene Descartes went so far as to claim that the mind, or soul, is separate from the body- a position called mind-body dualism  Not until the 20th century were medical scientists persuaded that psychosocial factors such as stress, worry, and unconscious needs can contribute in major ways to physical illness  …

…have little or no organic basis  Briquet's syndrome- a person must have multiple ailments that include several pain symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, a sexual symptom  often describe their symptoms in dramatic/exaggerated term; most also feel anxious and depressed  twice as many women experience then men; often runs in families; usually begins between adolescence and young adulthood  typically last for years; symptoms will fluctuate over time but rarely disappear completely without psychotherapy