Irish neurologist Suzanne O’Sullivan said Live Science shows that psychosomatic diseases are not a consequence of hypochondria – a painful feeling of anxiety about the possibility of the occurrence of one or more dangerous diseases.
Psychosomatics is a branch of medicine and psychology that studies how emotions and experiences affect a person’s physical health. Psychosomatic diseases are characterized by disorders in the functioning of internal organs and systems that occur as a result of mental distress.
The expert explained that the common statement “All diseases begin in the head” creates a misconception about psychosomatic disorders. Most of the time, pain is caused by very real health problems, not a deterioration in mental health.
Additionally, people with psychosomatic diseases are not hypochondriacs. The mental and physical condition of the hypochondriac patient, who is constantly under stress due to the fear of getting sick, worsens. In psychosomatic diseases, patients often do not have symptoms of anxiety or depression. Painful sensations occur independently, they are real and are not expected or assumed.
Previously Appearedthat childhood psychotrauma can cause chronic pain syndrome in adults.