psychosomatic

psychosomatic
Pertaining to the influence of the mind or higher functions of the brain ( e.g., emotions, fears, desires) upon the functions of the body, especially in relation to bodily disorders or disease. See psychophysiologic. SYN: psychophysical (2). [psycho- + G. soma, body]

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psy·cho·so·mat·ic .sī-kə-sə-'mat-ik, -kō-, -sō- adj
1) of, relating to, concerned with, or involving both mind and body <the \psychosomatic nature of man (Herbert Ratner)>
2 a) of, relating to, involving, or concerned with bodily symptoms caused by mental or emotional disturbance <\psychosomatic illness> <\psychosomatic medicine>
b) exhibiting psychosomatic symptoms <a \psychosomatic patient>
psy·cho·so·mat·i·cal·ly -i-k(ə-)lē adv
psychosomatic n an individual exhibiting psychosomatic symptoms

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adj.
relating to or involving both the mind and body: usually applied to illnesses that are caused by the interaction of mental and physical factors. Certain physical illnesses, including asthma, eczema, and peptic ulcer, are thought to be in part a response to psychological and social stresses. Psychological treatments sometimes have a marked effect, but are usually much less effective than physical treatments for such illnesses.

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psy·cho·so·mat·ic (si″ko-so-matґik) [psycho- + somat- + -ic] pertaining to the mind-body relationship; having bodily symptoms of psychic, emotional, or mental origin; called also psychophysiologic. See also under disorder.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • psychosomatic — [sī΄kō sō mat′ik] adj. [ PSYCHO + SOMATIC] 1. designating or of a disorder of the body originating in or aggravated by the psychic or emotional processes of the individual 2. designating a system of medicine using a coordinated psychological and… …   English World dictionary

  • psychosomatic — 1863, pertaining to the relation between mind and body, from Gk. psykhe mind (see PSYCHE (Cf. psyche)) + somatikos, from soma (gen. somatos) body. Applied from 1938 to physical disorders with psychological causes. It can as easily apply to… …   Etymology dictionary

  • psychosomatic — ► ADJECTIVE 1) (of a physical illness) caused or aggravated by a mental factor such as internal conflict or stress. 2) relating to the interaction of mind and body. DERIVATIVES psychosomatically adverb …   English terms dictionary

  • psychosomatic — adjective Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary Date: 1863 1. of, relating to, concerned with, or involving both mind and body < the psychosomatic nature of man Herbert Ratner > 2. of, relating to, involving, or concerned with bodily… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • psychosomatic — psy|cho|so|mat|ic [ˌsaıkəusəˈmætık US kəsə ] adj medical [Date: 1800 1900; : Greek; Origin: psych ( PSYCH ) + somatikos (from soma body )] 1.) a psychosomatic illness is caused by fear or anxiety rather than by a physical problem psychosomatic… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • psychosomatic — [[t]sa͟ɪkoʊsoʊmæ̱tɪk[/t]] ADJ If someone has a psychosomatic illness, their symptoms are caused by worry or unhappiness rather than by a physical problem. Doctors refused to treat her, claiming that her problems were all psychosomatic …   English dictionary

  • psychosomatic — adj. Psychosomatic is used with these nouns: ↑illness, ↑symptom …   Collocations dictionary

  • psychosomatic — psy|cho|so|mat|ic [ ,saıkusə mætık ] adjective 1. ) a psychosomatic illness is caused by a problem in your mind 2. ) connected with the relationship between your mind and physical illness …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • Psychosomatic —    See Hysteria Psychosomatic Somatization …   Historical dictionary of Psychiatry

  • psychosomatic — adjective 1 a psychosomatic illness is caused by fear or anxiety rather than by any physical problem 2 concerned with the relationship between the mind and physical illness psychosomatically / kli/ adverb …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

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