Psychosomatic illness develops when psychological stress or emotional conflict leads to real physical symptoms or worsens an existing medical condition. It’s not “imagined” — the body truly reacts to mental and emotional strain through biological pathways.
Here’s how it typically develops step-by-step:
1. Emotional or Psychological Stress
A person experiences ongoing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, or unresolved emotional conflict.
- Examples: grief, work pressure, relationship problems, guilt, fear.
2. Activation of the Stress Response
The fight-or-flight system (sympathetic nervous system) becomes chronically activated.
- The brain (especially the hypothalamus) signals the adrenal glands to release stress hormones — mainly adrenaline and cortisol.
3. Physical Changes in the Body
These hormones affect many body systems:
- Cardiovascular: increased heart rate, blood pressure.
- Digestive: reduced digestion, stomach acid imbalance.
- Immune: suppressed or overactive immune response.
- Muscular: tension, pain.
If stress persists, these changes stop being temporary — they start to damage tissues or organs.
4. Symptom Formation
Over time, this leads to physical symptoms such as:
- Headaches, migraines
- Stomach ulcers or irritable bowel
- Chest pain, palpitations
- Chronic fatigue, muscle pain
- Skin rashes, eczema
- Hypertension
The symptoms are real but are triggered or worsened by psychological factors.
5. Reinforcement Cycle
The physical symptoms cause more worry and stress, which further increases physiological arousal — creating a vicious cycle of mind–body interaction.
6. Chronic Condition or Disorder
Without addressing the psychological roots (through therapy, stress management, or emotional processing), the symptoms can become chronic and difficult to treat medically alone.
Shervan K Shahhian
LIBERTY PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION 