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Psychosomatic response is the reaction of the mind that creates a physical condition change just from the belief that something has actually happened. In medicine, it's known as the placebo effect.
One example I can recall is a group of people given what the believed to be vodka. However, it had been denatured and so there was no alcohol in it, though it still tasted like vodka.
They partied their butts off like they had actually been drinking vodka, just from believing they had drank real alcohol. There was nothing to make them believe there was anything wrong with it, so their minds BELIEVED they were drunk, and so they acted accordingly.
The other group was given alcohol but the flavor was neutralized, so they thought they were drinking punch/soda. They were actually drinking booze. It affected them, but mostly they just felt kinda sick and dizzy. They did not laugh and sing and party like the other group, they just felt weird.
If you blindfold someone and tell them you are rubbing poison ivy on them, then rub a non-poisonous leaf on them, a certain percentage of people will actually erupt into an allergic response, just as if they had been rubbed down with the poison ivy.
Not everyone is susceptible to the psychosomatic response, and there are varying degrees depending on the person. The mind is essentially jump-starting a reaction in preparation to deal with the stimulus.
Look up the placebo effect, psychic surgery, hypnosis, or the 'power of suggestion' to learn more.
It is possible for people to develop a physical illness purely as a result of their belief that they are sick, rather than as a result of any actual physical injury, infection, nutritional deficiency, allergy, etc. People have the capacity to make themselves ill by means of their own thoughts, and also can make themselves well, in some cases, by their own thoughts, which is known as the placebo effect (people who think that they have been given an effective medical treatment will often improve in health even if the treatment they have been given is actually a sugar pill, known as a placebo).
"Caused or aggravated by a mental factor such as internal conflict or stress."
From Babylon, a computer Dictionary program, more exactly from Concise Oxford English Dictionary.
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What is the difference between somatoform and psychosomatic disorder?
A somatic disorder is a malfunction of the body. A psychosomatic disorder is a disorder of (most commonly) the body caused by a psychological factor (the mind).
Where can one be diagnosed with Psychosomatic disorder?
One could potentially be diagnosed with Psychosomatic disorder in any hospital around the world, especially hospitals for the mentally/criminally insane.
What has the author Philip Pinkerton written?
Philip Pinkerton has written: 'Childhood disorder--a psychosomatic approach' -- subject(s): In infancy and childhood, Pediatrics, Psychophysiologic Disorders, Psychosomatic aspects, Psychosomatic aspects of Pediatrics
What has the author George L Engel written?
George L. Engel has written: 'The concept of psychosomatic disorder'
The first sign of psychosomatic disorder generally appear in what stage?
The first symptoms a psychosomatic disorders generally appear in the first few stages. Though the severity of these symptoms vary on a case to case basis.
What is the most common psychosomatic disorder?
Fibromyalgia ~ by far. Including, but not limited to panic & anxiety disorder, lower back pain, bone pain, cramps....and the list goes on....foot drop too...depression and also OCD. Ah yes, let's not forget the joints!
The word psychosomatic means mind and?
The meaning of the word psychosomatic implies
When was Psychosomatic Medicine - journal - created?
Psychosomatic Medicine - journal - was created in 1939.
When was Journal of Psychosomatic Research created?
Journal of Psychosomatic Research was created in 1956.
What has the author John Hazen Nodine written?
John Hazen Nodine has written: 'Psychosomatic medicine' -- subject(s): Psychosomatic Medicine, Congresses, Medicine, Psychosomatic
What is psychosomatic medicine?
Psychosomatic medicine is a multidisciplinary branch of medicine dedicated to the study and clinical practice of medicine in relation with all processes that cause a pathological interaction between mind and body or between mental and physical processes.Psychoneuroimmunology or PNI, is the most related discipline to Psychosomatic medicine, but not the only one; geriatrics, pediatrics, surgery, gynecology, endocrinology. cardiology, psychiatry, internal medicine, gastroenterology, cosmetic surgery, emergency medicine and many other branches may at one time or other treat disorders with psychosomatic causes or complications.Psychosomatic is a word that is sometimes erroneously used in a pejorative way for saying 'it is all in your mind', what adds suffering to those who already are suffering from a psychosomatic disorder. The correct use of the term, is instead a key to solve some puzzling mix of symptoms that could not be attributed to a particular illness or that can be attributed to many disorders.If the body suffers because a problem generated in the mind or if the mind and emotional well being suffer because a problem of the body, then that is a psychosomatic disorder.
What has the author Hyman Miller written?
Hyman Miller has written: 'The practice of psychosomatic medicine as illustrated in allergy' -- subject(s): Allergy, Medicine, Psychosomatic, Psychosomatic Medicine
