Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The article outlines a historical overview of the integration between psychiatry and medicine, highlighting the evolution of the understanding of psychosomatic diseases. Initially, diseases were seen from a spiritual perspective, later moving on to a humoral, anatomical and cellular focus. With the advancement of the natural sciences, psychiatry was marginalized for dealing with symptoms with no clear anatomical correspondence. Psychosomatic medicine emerges as a bridge between body and mind, evidencing the influence of emotional factors on physical illnesses. Psychosomatic medicine, based on authors such as Freud, Groddeck, and Dunbar, proposes a holistic approach, studying how unconscious conflicts can manifest themselves physiologically. An example of this are diseases such as ulcers, asthma and hypertension, where the emotional component can play a central role. The distinction between neurosis, hysteria and psychosomatic illness is complex, and is often didactic rather than absolute. Repressed emotions can cause functional and even structural changes. The article also addresses concepts such as the "psychosomatic profile", the symbolic language of organs and the role of cultural and genetic factors. It concludes by highlighting that psychosomatic medicine goes beyond technical knowledge - it requires a change in attitude, greater empathy and understanding of the patient in his or her biopsychosocial totality. It is considered essential for a truly humanized and scientific medical practice.
Institution: Beneficência Portuguesa de São Paulo
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4411292063