Observations of Psychosocial Factors and Their Relationship to Organic Disease

Abstract

Psychosocial factors can be important to the development, modification and chronicity of a given organic disease. Such factors are not “all powerful” in the sense that dealing with them will cure disease, but they are factors which the wise clinician will include in his therapeutic armamentarium. Their recognition and control will increase the clinician's ability to practice scientific medicine and to care more adequately for his patients. Psychosocial events, psychophysiologic and physiologic change, emotions and disease are discussed in theoretical terms. Observations and specific examples taken from several organ systems are discussed to show the possible complex interactions between some of the above variables in specific disease entities.