psychosomatic

[ sahy-koh-suh-mat-ik, -soh- ]

adjective

1. of or relating to a physical disorder that is caused by or notably influenced by emotional factors.
2. pertaining to or involving both the mind and the body.

psychosomatic

/ ˌsaɪkəʊsəˈmætɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to disorders, such as stomach ulcers, thought to be caused or aggravated by psychological factors such as stress

psychosomatic

1. A descriptive term for the relationship between the mind and body.

Notes

“Psychosomatic” disorders have definite physical symptoms but are thought to be caused by emotional or psychological factors. Anorexia nervosa is an example of a psychosomatic illness.

Other Words From

• psycho·so·mati·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of psychosomatic¹

First recorded in 1860–65; psycho- + somatic

Example Sentences

The historical Woodrow Wilson suffered from numerous complaints which we might today label as psychosomatic.

From The Daily Beast

Likewise, psychosomatic controls that can handle any ordinary wound we might permit them to inflict.

From Project Gutenberg

These problems not only include strictly psychological troubles but many psychosomatic symptoms as well.

From Project Gutenberg

Psychosomatic disorders, hypochondria: Physical disorders caused by emotional problems are psychosomatic.

From Project Gutenberg

Psychosomatic medicine focuses on the second of these; our focus here is on the first: physical origins of emotional disturbance.

From Project Gutenberg

Too tired, nerves worn too thin, psychosomatic control slipping.

From Project Gutenberg