A health condition in which anything that stress can cause or worsen is called a psychosomatic disorder. In general, stress affects our bodies in multiple ways and may cause certain disorders (from heart disease to eczema). Usually, managing stress can treat this disorder. Most people develop it when mental stress and distress cause or make a physical disorder worsen.
Types of Psychosomatic Disorders
Nowadays, experts debate multiple physical disorders that are caused by stress and distress only. It occurs because the human body is very complex. Previously, healthcare professionals thought that tuberculosis and stomach ulcers were caused by stress. However, this is not true because the bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes tuberculosis, and H. pylori infection often leads to stomach ulcers. Check below some health conditions that involve psychosomatic factors and stress, which commonly worsen them:
- Obesity (excessive body weight)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Heart disease
- Fibromyalgia
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and other digestive conditions
- Tension-type headaches
- Seizures
- Sleep disorders
- Multiple skin problems (such as psoriasis, eczema, and others)
What is The Difference between a Psychosomatic Disorder and Somatic Symptom Disorder?
While both disorders involve psychological problems and physical symptoms or disorders, the cause-and-effect relationships are different. For instance, somatic symptom disorder occurs when you continuously focus on physical symptoms (such as pain that often leads to major distress, which may interfere with daily activities). However, in people with a psychosomatic disorder, existing physical disorders often worsen with stress.
According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA)’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), somatic symptom disorder is a condition, while psychosomatic disorder is not a condition.
Symptoms
In most cases, people experience different symptoms because they depend on the underlying physical disorder. For instance, if you have diabetes, stress can increase your blood sugar levels or make them more difficult to control. However, anxiety and stress may cause digestive problems (such as diarrhea). Check below some physical symptoms of stress:
- Chest pain and fast heart rate
- Insomnia (sleep disturbances)
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Tremors or shaking
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Muscle tension
- Stomach or digestive issues (including appetite changes)
- Sexual dysfunction
- Weakened immune system
Sometimes, people may also experience emotional and mental symptoms due to stress. For example, depression, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, irritability, and others. Do not hesitate to visit a doctor if any of the previous symptoms occur without an obvious reason.
Causes
In general, some people can be more emotionally and psychologically sensitive to stress than others. As a result, they become more prone to psychosomatic disorders. Check below for some changes that often occur in the body when you experience stress:
- Shifts in the autonomic nervous system (balancing from parasympathetic control to sympathetic control)
- HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis changes – These changes affect the endocrine system that begins to produce hormones in response to stress.
- Increased blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, or blood glucose levels
- Inflammation
- Reduced bodily regenerative activity
- Increased blood flow to skeletal muscles
- Reduced blood flow to the prefrontal cortex – This is a part of the brain responsible for executive functions (including focus, impulse control, and emotional regulation).
Usually, most people are able to physically and mentally tolerate episodes of stress. However, when people experience chronic (long-lasting) stress, it often leads to an increased reaction to stressful situations. Previous body changes occur more frequently and last longer, which causes damage to multiple systems in the body.
In addition, some researchers think there are multiple factors that make a person more prone to psychosomatic disorders. These include genetics, personality traits, environmental and biological factors, and others.
What Are The Potential Complications of Psychosomatic Disorders?
People with this condition can also experience some complications, especially if they do not know about this condition or leave it untreated. Check below some examples:
- Cardiovascular problems (including high blood pressure, heart disease, and others)
- Gastrointestinal issues (such as IBS, stomach aches, and others)
- Chronic pain
- Skin disorders (such as eczema, psoriasis, chronic fatigue, and others)
- Certain mental health conditions (including panic disorders, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and others)
- Reduced quality of life
This document does not contain a full list of psychosomatic disorder complications. In any case, you can consult with your healthcare professional about ways to reduce the risk of developing the previous complications.
How to Prevent Psychosomatic Disorders?
Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent psychosomatic effects if you are genetically more sensitive to stress. However, doctors may recommend some tips that can help manage stress and prevent severe physical symptoms. Check below some examples:
- Doctors usually recommend being realistic about what you can or cannot control
- Regularly perform physical exercise – You should aim for at least 30 minutes of physical exercise per day. It may also help get and maintain a healthy weight, which significantly reduces the risk of multiple health problems.
- Practice healthy sleep cycles
- Journal to help increase awareness of thoughts and feelings
- Adopt a healthy diet (including more fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains)
- Practice progressive muscle relaxation (such as meditation, breathing exercises, or yoga)
Diagnosis
Generally, there are no specific tests or criteria that can confirm or rule out a psychosomatic disorder. People who have a physical disorder that stress can impact (such as heart disease, gastrointestinal problems, and others) may have some questions about stress level and other physical signs or symptoms.
Moreover, stress is subjective, and only you can find out whether it is present or not. In addition, your doctor may use a questionnaire to better understand your level of stress and how it impacts your life. They may also recommend some options to manage stress.
Treatment
You should know that each physical disorder that stress can cause or worsen has its own treatment option. Check below some options often recommended by doctors to manage stress:
- Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy), such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness-based therapy
- Medicines (including anxiolytics, antidepressants, and others)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the prognosis for people with psychosomatic disorders?
Usually, people learn to manage and reduce somatic pain symptoms over time. However, this disorder may come and go throughout your life. For more details, discuss it with your doctor.
What is the most common somatic symptom?
While the most common symptom of these disorders is pain, you may also experience other symptoms, especially if you have an underlying condition.
What is an example of a psychosomatic disorder?
These include hypertension (high blood pressure), respiratory ailments, gastrointestinal issues, migraine, tension headaches, pelvic pain, sexual dysfunction, dermatitis, and others. If you have additional questions, ask your healthcare provider.
