I grew up with the same belief as most, that psychophysiologic [better known as psychosomatic] disorders were "all in your head." I didn't learn better until my 2nd year of nursing school, so it occurs to me that others may be similarly confused.
Psychosomatic disorders are manifestations of physical imbalance in which emotional components have a strong influence. The link between the affect and compromised health issues can be followed, in such cases, as the disease emerges, develops or repeats its pattern over time. "Psycho" or "psyche" refers to the emotional or mind related aspects and "somatic" has to do with the organic or physical symptoms and signs observed.Now that we have a working definition, lets see how that works in real life.Recent research has revealed that inappropriate activation of the autonomous nervous apparatus, endocrine network (hormones and internal secretion glands), and the immune system (defence structures and cells) accounts for several of the known paths that link emotional overload to a condition of organic dysfunction and, in some cases, even physical damage.
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