Psychosomatic Disorders: The Mind-Body Connection

The mind and body are connected in diverse ways. While, we often view them as independent in function, this is misguided. the body impacts the mind and the mind alters the body. For centuries, many professionals disregarded psychosomatic complains as the simple imaginations of a diseased mind. Doctors’ dismissed illnesses as the product of a neurotic imagination. As we move into new scientific frontiers, we are beginning to realize that perhaps we were a little hasty to disregard the complaints.

Whether or not there is an identifiable organic cause to the pain, the life disruption is real and treatments available. Psychosomatic disorders impact 5-7% of the population. A closer look at the disease is imperative for the overall wellness, not only for those inflicted but also for those living with or around someone suffering from the disorder.

We call disorders that are not attributable to organic causes psychosomatic disorders (or somatoform disorders). Psychosomatic disorders frustrate victims as well as medical practitioners. Because the allusiveness of the cause, a treatment plan is difficult to implement. Annually, insurance and individuals spend billions of dollars searching for a cause to invisible illnesses, only to repeatedly receive negative results from the costly tests and examinations. Integrative medicine is having some success in treating these diseases. Others find relief through psychological approaches.

We have effective avenues for treatment; but doctors and therapists can only administer these treatments once they correctly identify the illness as having a psychosomatic origin.

DSM-V Criteria for Psychosomatic Disorders

The American Psychiatric Association includes psychosomatic disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They provide the following criteria for diagnosis of psychosomatic disorders.

Excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to the somatic symptoms or associated health concerns as manifested by at least one of the following:

• Disproportionate and persistent thoughts about the seriousness of one’s symptoms.
• Persistently high level of anxiety about health or symptoms.
• Excessive time and energy devoted to these symptoms or health concerns (DSM-V-TR).

---

A term previously the lay population commonly used to describe psychosomatic disorders was hypochondria. However, because of the negative connotations associated with hypochondriacs the word has fallen from grace and seldom used.

Common Psychosomatic Symptoms

We can categorize most psychosomatic symptoms under three main complaints: insomnia, fatigue, weakness. However, a person suffering from psychological conditions may experience any of these through more specific ailments such as:

• heartburn
• depression
• irregular heartbeat
• dizziness
• pain
• cardiovascular problems
• gastrointestinal discomfort
• erectile dysfunction
• a sensation of pressure in the throat
• chest problems
• hallucinations
• and double vision (Allahverdi, 2020).

---

As we can see, the list is extensive and far from exhaustive. Because of the complex connections between body and mind, patients can experience psychosomatic symptoms associated with any other ailment. Doctors only label the symptom psychosomatic when they can’t medically explain the cause. Of course, this leaves us to wonder whether or not the illness is actually psychosomatic or is the doctor overlooking something.

However, when viewing illness from a wider integrative perspective, including the vast impact of stress and emotions on the physical body, even if there is no organic correlate for the illness, one should not refer to it has medically unexplained. A disrupted life is more than adequate of an explanation for physical ailments.

Causes of Psychosomatic Symptoms

Allan Schore, an American psychologist and researcher in the field of neuropsychology, wrote, “It is commonly accepted that early childhood abuse specifically alters limbic system maturation, producing neurobiological alterations that act as a biological substrate for a variety of psychiatric consequences, including affective instability, inefficient stress tolerance, memory impairment, psychosomatic disorders, and dissociative disturbances” (Schore, 2009).

Lawrence Heller, Ph.D., a psychologist specializing in trauma, explains:

“Emotional arousal, or when an event overpowers our sense of safety, causes a variety of brain alterations; high levels of emotions, as well as lack of emotion, lead to physical changes that contribute to autonomic dysregulation and psychosomatic disorders” (Heller & LaPierre, 2012).

High emotional arousal common to trauma is the most common cause stimulating psychosomatic symptoms.

Possible Causes:

Psychosomatic disorders, also known as somatic symptom disorders, are a complex interplay of psychological and physical factors. The exact causes are not fully understood, but several factors have been identified that may contribute to the development of these conditions:

• Psychological Factors: Stress and trauma can lead to the release of hormones and chemicals in the body that may cause physical symptoms or exacerbate existing ones.
• Behavioral Factors: Individuals with psychosomatic disorders may have difficulty recognizing and expressing emotions, which can manifest as physical symptoms.
• Sociocultural Factors: A chaotic lifestyle, unemployment, and substance abuse are some of the sociocultural issues that can increase the risk of developing psychosomatic symptoms.
• Biological Factors: There may be a genetic predisposition to these disorders, as they sometimes occur more frequently in certain families.
• Health Anxiety: Constant worry about potential illness and viewing normal physical sensations as a sign of severe physical illness can contribute to the development of psychosomatic symptoms.
• Past Trauma: A history of childhood neglect or abuse, including sexual abuse, has been associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing psychosomatic disorders.
• Coexisting Conditions: Other mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and personality disorders, are often found in conjunction with psychosomatic disorders.

---

It’s important to note that these disorders are legitimate medical conditions and can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. Treatment typically involves a combination of psychotherapy, stress reduction techniques, and sometimes medication to manage symptoms

An Important Distinction

Commonly accepted in the medical and psychiatric fields of medicine, is that exposure to continual or extreme stress leads to physical ailments. In psychology, we refer to this as the diathesis stress model. Our body responds to life events through elevating cortisol levels.

Gabor Maté, M.D., explains:

“Temporary elevation of cortisol that occurs in episodes of acute stress is healthy and necessary.” This is how we biologically prepare to respond against threats. However, what is not healthy is “the chronically elevated cortisol levels in chronically stressed persons” (Maté, 2008).

Stress, then, leads to illness. However, even though we typically envision stress as a psychological event of the mind, it is a physical event in the body (elevating of cortisol levels). Stress may be considered a psychosomatic risk factor but diseases and illnesses occurring because of stress are not necessarily a psychosomatic illness. Heightened and continual stress is considered a risk factor for cancer. Cancer is not a psychosomatic illness. Physicians can diagnose and treat cancer.

In contrast, last year I experience excruciating pain in my back, shoulder, and right arm. The pain persistently interfered with sleep, rest and activity. I lost muscle mass on the right side of my body. The pain was real. The physical impact of muscle loss was discoverable. However, the underlying cause remains a mystery. All tests, x-rays, and MRI’s were unable to pinpoint a cause for the pain.

After three months of agony, the pain slowly subsided and I returned to normal. Perhaps, there was an underlying physical event that caused the pain that doctors were unable to discover. But then, again, maybe this was a psychosomatic illness in reaction to the heightened stress of moving (an event that occurred a month prior to the first symptoms).

Associated Concepts

• Biopsychosocial Model: This model suggests that biological, psychological, and social factors all play a significant role in human functioning in the context of disease or illness.
• Stress and Coping Theory: Developed by Lazarus and Folkman, this theory explains how stress affects an individual and how coping mechanisms can mitigate stress-related disorders.
• Health Psychology: This field of psychology focuses on how psychological, behavioral, and cultural factors contribute to physical health and illness.
• Phenomenological Psychology: This field of psychology focuses on understanding human experience from the subjective perspective, emphasizing individual perceptions and the richness of lived realities.
• Psychoanalytic Theory: Sigmund Freud’s theories on the unconscious mind and repressed emotions can relate to the development of physical symptoms without a clear medical cause.
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is based on the concept that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected, and that changing negative thought patterns can lead to changes in feelings and behaviors.
• Mind-Body Dualism: This philosophical concept, which has influenced psychological thought, refers to the separation of mind and body and is challenged by the presentation of psychosomatic disorders.

A Few Words by Psychology Fanatic

We may never know whether an illness is psychosomatic or not when doctors fail to find a cause. An identifiable cause is somewhat comforting when the pain is maddening. At least we can point to something and treat it. For a large number of people, the psychosomatic illness haunts them, causing recurring pain, that physicians consider an illness of the mind. Luckily, some treatments addressing the mind, such as mindfulness, have healed unseen maladies, allowing the inflicted to return to normal enjoyable lives.

In the intricate connected complexity of the human condition, psychosomatic disorders represent a profound interweaving of mind and body, reminding us that our thoughts, emotions, and beliefs can manifest in physical form. Marvelously and terrifyingly, the psyche has power to shape our health. Accordingly, it’s importance for us to address both mental and physical aspects in our quest for well-being.

Understanding psychosomatic disorders challenges us to broaden our perspective on health, to embrace a holistic approach that honors the complexity of our being. It is a call to compassion, to patience, and to the recognition that healing is as much about nurturing the mind as it is about treating the body.

Greater awareness of the power of the mind, clothed with empathy, will guide us to a future where the care for the human spirit is as paramount as the care for the human form. In the symphony of healing, let the notes of psychological insight and somatic awareness harmonize, leading us to a more integrated and humane approach to medicine. For in the balance of mind and body lies the key to unlocking the full potential of our health and humanity.

Last Update: January 30, 2026

References:

Allahverdi, Ertugrul (2020). Psychosomatic Pain. Effects of Stress on Human Health. Intech Open. PDF of article
(Return to Main Text)

Heller, Lawrence; LaPierre, Aline (2012). Healing Developmental Trauma: How Early Trauma Affects Self-Regulation, Self-Image, and the Capacity for Relationship. North Atlantic Books; 1st edition. ISBN-10: 1583944893
(Return to Main Text)

Maté, Gabor (2008). When the Body Says No. ‎Trade Paper Press; 1st edition. ISBN-10: 0470349476
(Return to Main Text)

Schore, Allan, N. (2009). Right-Brain Affect Regulation An Essential Mechanism of Development, Trauma, Dissociation, and Psychotherapy. In: Daniel J. Siegel, Marion Solomon, and Diana Fosha (eds.), The Healing Power of Emotion: Affective Neuroscience, Development & Clinical Practice. ‎W. W. Norton & Company; 1st edition. ISBN-10: 039370548X; APA Record: 2009-20446-000
(Return to Main Text)

Related Articles