Major Trends in Psychosomatic Medicine

Abstract

Three developmental lines were identifiable in psychosomatic medicine: psychodynamic investigations, psychophysiologic and psychosocial research and consultation-liaison psychiatry. Although psychodynamic understanding of medical patients remained important, psychogenesis was no longer the principal concern of psychosomatic medicine, which has shifted emphasis to a holistic understanding that includes the biologic, psychologic and social systems of medical and psychiatric patients. Recent investigations along the 2nd line indicated that all medical and psychiatric illnesses can be regarded as psychosomatic, in that comprehensive understanding and care cannot be achieved without considering the 3 interrelated systems. Consultation-liaison psychiatry was the practice of this holistic approach in the general hospital. The essential role of the consultation-liaison psychiatrist as a bridge between the biologic and behavioral disciplines may become a major part of the role of the general psychiatrist in the future.