PSYCHOSOMATIC
MEDICINE
Dr. YASER ALHUTHAIL
Ass. Professor & Consultant
Consultation Liaison Psychiatry
Psychosomatic medicine is an area of scientific
investigation concerned with the relation between
psychological factors and physiological phenomena
in general and disease pathogenesis in particular.
Integrates mind and body into a psychobiological
unit; to study psychological and biological processes
as dynamic interacting systems.
It emphasizes the unity of mind and body and the
interaction between them.
A holistic approach to medicine.
Two basic assumptions:
There is a unity of mind and body (reflected in
the term mind-body medicine)
Psychological factors must be taken into account
when considering all disease states
Emphasis on examining and treating the whole
patient, not just his or her disease or disorder.
The concepts of psychosomatic medicine also
influenced the field of behavioral medicine
which integrates the behavioral sciences and the
biomedical approach to the prevention,
diagnosis, and treatment of diseases.
Psychosomatic concepts have contributed
greatly to those approaches of medical care.
Biomedical Model:
The application of biological science to maintain
health and treating disease.
Engel (1977) proposed a major change in our
fundamental model of health care.
The new model continues the emphasis on
biological knowledge, but also encompasses the
utilization of psychosocial knowledge.
“Biopsychosocial Model”
Stress Theory
Stress can be described as a circumstance that
disturbs, or is likely to disturb, the normal
physiological or psychological functioning of a
person.
The body reacts to stress in this sense defined as
anything (real, symbolic, or imagined) that by
threatens an individual's survival by putting into
motion a set of responses that seeks to diminish the
impact of the stressor and restore homeostasis.
THE STRESS MODEL
A psychosomatic framework.
Two major facets of stress response.
“Fight or Flight” response is mediated by
hypothalamus, the sympathetic nervous system,
and the adrenal medulla.
If chronic, this response can have serious health
consequences.
The hypothalamus, pituitary gland, the adrenal
cortex mediate the second facet.
Neurotransmitter Responses to Stress
Stressors activate noradrenergic systems in
the brain and cause release of catecholamines
from the autonomic nervous system.
Stressors also activate serotonergic systems
in the brain, as evidenced by increased
serotonin turnover.
Stress also increases dopaminergic
neurotransmission in mesoprefrontal pathways.
Endocrine Responses to Stress
CRF is secreted from the hypothalamus.
CRF acts at the anterior pituitary to trigger release of
ACTH.
ACTH acts at the adrenal cortex to stimulate the
synthesis and release of glucocorticoids.
Promote energy use, increase cardiovascular activity,
and inhibit functions such as growth, reproduction,
and immunity.
Immune Response to Stress
Inhibition of immune functioning by glucocorticoids.
Stress can also cause immune activation through a
variety of pathways including the release of
humoral immune factors (cytokines) such as
interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6.
These cytokines can themselves cause further release
of CRF, which in theory serves to increase
glucocorticoid effects and thereby self-limit the
immune activation.
High level of Cortisol results in suppression of
immunity which can cause susceptibility to
infections and possibly also in many types of
cancer.
Changes in the immune system in response to
stress are now very well established.
Immune suppression in response to stress occurs
even after removal of the adrenal gland !!.
There appears to be an alternative path, other
than through the adrenals, for the brain to
influence the immune response.
Psychoneuroimmunology
DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria for Psychological
Factors Affecting Medical Condition
A. A general medical condition (coded on Axis III) is present.
B. Psychological factors adversely affect the general medical
condition in one of the following ways:
(1) the factors have influenced the course of the general medical
condition as shown by a close temporal association between the
psychological factors and the development or exacerbation of,
or delayed recovery from, the general medical condition.
(2) the factors interfere with the treatment of the general medical
condition.
(3) the factors constitute additional health risks for the individual.
(4) stress-related physiological responses precipitate or exacerbate
symptoms of a general medical condition.
Mental disorder affecting medical condition (e.g., an Axis I
disorder such as major depressive disorder delaying recovery
from a myocardial infarction)
Psychological symptoms affecting medical condition (e.g.,
depressive symptoms delaying recovery from surgery; anxiety
exacerbating asthma)
Personality traits or coping style affecting medical condition (e.g.,
pathological denial of the need for surgery in a patient with
cancer, hostile, pressured behavior contributing to cardiovascular
disease)
Maladaptive health behaviors affecting medical condition (e.g.,
lack of exercise, unsafe sex, overeating)
Stress-related physiological response affecting general medical
condition (e.g., stress-related exacerbations of ulcer, hypertension,
arrhythmia, or tension headache)
Other unspecified psychological factors affecting medical
condition (e.g., interpersonal, cultural, or religious factors)
The essential challenge in psychosomaticpsychobiological research is to delineate the
mechanisms by which experiences cause
certain types of physiological reactions that
result in disease states.
Cardiovascular System
Psychological factors have been closely studied as part
of the pathogenesis of the cardiovascular diseases.
Depression is an independent risk factor for the
development of coronary artery disease.
Depression increases mortality rates following
myocardial infarction (MI).
Hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal
(HPA) axis, immune activation with release of
proinflammatory cytokines, and activation of the
sympathetic nervous system and of corticotropinreleasing factor (CRF) pathways in the central nervous
system (CNS).
Gastrointestinal Conditions
Functional disorders represent 50% of
complaints in GI clinics
There is a strong & consistent association
between functional gastrointestinal disorders and
psychological factors.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is the most common.
Brain-Gut axis
Hypersensitivity of GI tract
Role of stress
Somatoform Disorders
Three enduring clinical features:
- Somatic complaints that suggest major
medical problems.
- Psychological factors and conflicts that seem
important.
- Symptoms or magnified health concerns that
are NOT under the patient’s conscious
control.
Somatoform Disorders
Somatization disorder
Conversion disorder
Pain disorder
Hypochondriasis
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
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