Psychosomatic means mind (psyche) and body (soma). A psychosomatic disorder is a disease which involves both mind and body. To some extent, most diseases are indeed psychosomatic; they involve a person's body and mind. There is a mental aspect to every physical disease. The way a person reacts to and copes with disease varies widely from person to person. A rash of psoriasis; for example, might not bother some people too much. Yet the rash covering the same portions of the body in another person may make them feel depressed and more sick.
There may be physical effects from mental illness. For example; some people with mental illnesses might not take care of themselves, eat appropriately, or take care of themselves - which can cause physical issues. The term, 'psychosomatic disorder;' however, is mainly used to mean a physical disease that is believed to be caused, or worsened, by mental factors.
Some physical diseases are thought to be especially prone to be worsened by mental factors such as anxiety and stress. Examples include eczema, psoriasis, high blood pressure, ulcers and heart disease. It is thought that the actual physical part of the person's illness might be affected by mental factors; which is not accessed at all due to lack of awareness and negligence.
The mental state can affect the intensity of their physical condition is at any particular time. when mental factors cause physical symptoms, but where there is no physical disease. A chest pain; for example, might be caused by stress and no physical disease is found. It is well known that the mind can cause physical symptoms.
The physical symptoms are due to increased activity of nervous impulses sent from the person's brain to different parts of the body, as well as the release of adrenaline into the person's bloodstream when he/she is anxious.
When a person is anxious or afraid; for example, they might develop:
- Tremor
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
- Chest pains
- Palpitations
- A, 'knot,' in the stomach
- Increased breathing rate
- Hyper acidity