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Learn more about psychosomatic disorders
Psychosomatic disorders are conditions in which psychological factors, including chronic stress, anxiety, unresolved emotional distress, and trauma, contribute to physical symptoms or worsen existing physical illness. The word psychosomatic is sometimes misused to imply that symptoms are imagined or exaggerated; they are not. The physical experience is entirely real, and the interaction between psychological states and physical functioning is well established: stress and emotional distress affect neurological, hormonal, and immune systems in measurable ways. The DSM-5 and ICD-11 use the term somatic symptom disorders for conditions in which physical symptoms cause significant distress or disability, with psychological factors playing a prominent role. Psychosomatic disorders represent one of the clearest areas where medical and psychological treatment work best together.
Psychosomatic presentations vary widely, and the physical symptoms are always genuine, even when a psychological component is present.
Common presentations
- Chronic pain, including headaches, back pain, or widespread musculoskeletal pain, that does not fully respond to medical treatment
- Gastrointestinal symptoms such as irritable bowel syndrome, nausea, or stomach cramps that worsen under stress
- Skin conditions including eczema, psoriasis, or unexplained rashes that flare with emotional difficulty
- Cardiovascular symptoms including palpitations, chest tightness, or breathlessness without a clear physical cause
- Persistent fatigue that is not explained by a specific medical diagnosis
- Immune system dysregulation, with frequent illness or slow recovery
Other common experiences
- Physical symptoms that worsen at times of stress or emotional difficulty and improve when psychological pressure reduces
- A history of being told that test results are normal despite ongoing symptoms
- Anxiety or depression alongside the physical presentation
Psychosomatic disorders are best treated by approaches that work with both the psychological and physical dimensions of the presentation.
- Body therapy Body therapy works directly with how emotional distress is held and expressed in the body, helping to release patterns of tension, restriction, or dysregulation that contribute to physical symptoms.
- Somatic experiencing Somatic experiencing addresses the nervous system's role in psychosomatic symptoms, working to restore a more regulated physiological baseline and reduce the physical expression of chronic stress or trauma.
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) CBT has a good evidence base for specific psychosomatic presentations including irritable bowel syndrome and chronic pain, addressing the thought patterns and behaviours that amplify physical symptoms.
- Psychodynamic therapy Psychodynamic approaches explore the emotional and relational roots of psychosomatic symptoms, including the role of unresolved experience in the body's ongoing distress responses.
- Mindfulness Mindfulness-based approaches reduce the chronic stress activation that drives many psychosomatic presentations, building a more tolerant and less reactive relationship with physical sensation.
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Finding a therapist experienced in somatic and psychosomatic presentations, who understands the genuine complexity of mind-body conditions, requires a more specific search than a general therapist directory provides. Our matching service is built to remove that friction. You complete a short survey, our psychologists combine data-driven insights with human judgement to identify the right therapists for your situation, and you choose from a shortlist of strong candidates. You can also browse our directory directly if you'd prefer to choose yourself.
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