What is psychosomatic medicine?

Psychosomatic complaints are common. They account for around 20-40% of visits to the doctor.

Everyone is prone to psychosomatic complaints under stress. Children can also have such complaints. The spectrum of ailments is very broad.

Physical symptoms caused by acute stress are the most common. The autonomic nervous system plays a role here, as do stress hormones. Our body then no longer functions as we would like it to. The consequences are physical complaints or sleep disorders.

In response to acute stress, people may experience, for example, heart palpitations, sweating, digestive problems, tension in the back and neck, difficulty concentrating, and sleep disturbances.

Chronic stress can also affect the cardiovascular system, metabolism, and the immune system. Under chronic stress, we often react much more sensitively. This, in turn, often causes pain and can make us sick.

In the case of purely physical illnesses, the cause lies in a detectable structural change in an organ (e.g., intestinal inflammation that triggers digestive problems).

Psychosomatic physical symptoms often arise because the organs are not functioning properly. That is why they are also called “functional physical symptoms.” For example, work-related stress can cause problems in the digestive tract through hormones and the nervous system.

It is not always easy to determine whether symptoms are purely physical or psychosomatic. For this reason, the diagnostic process often takes a “two-pronged” approach.

People with mental illness experience changes in their emotions, thoughts, or behavior. In contrast, physical symptoms are the primary focus in psychosomatic disorders.

Combinations of physical, psychosomatic, and mental health issues are very common.

For example, a patient may have a stomach ulcer caused by both stress and harmful stomach bacteria. Or a person may first experience psychosomatic symptoms for years due to stress, then suffer a heart attack, and finally become depressed.

Almost all illnesses can be exacerbated by our environment. Modern psychosomatic medicine takes this into account and considers biological, psychological, and social factors alike.

Many physical symptoms cannot be explained solely by organic or psychological factors. These symptoms can only be understood in terms of the interplay between the environment, one’s state of well-being, body perception, and bodily functions. Psychosomatic medicine is the specialty that takes a holistic approach.

William Osler, a key founder of modern medicine, said: “The good doctor treats the disease; the great doctor treats the patient who has the disease.”

Respect for the individual is at the heart of this approach. So, on the one hand, the doctor examines the body closely, but on the other hand, he or she also pays attention to how the patient is feeling overall.

A health problem always involves both an objectively diagnosable illness and the subjective experience of suffering.

An important aim of any treatment is for the person affected to recognize ways to help them have a positive impact on their own health. The aim is to alleviate the symptoms. Depending on the problem, several methods can be used simultaneously.

The title in psychosomatic medicine is a state-registered, higher additional training. Only those who have completed both a medical degree and specialist training (FMH title) can complete this training.