psychogenic

[ sahy-kuh-jen-ik ]

adjective

, Psychology.

1. having origin in the mind or in a mental condition or process:

   a psychogenic disorder.

psychogenic

/ ˌsaɪkəʊˈdʒɛnɪk /

adjective

1. psychol (esp of disorders or symptoms) of mental, rather than organic, origin

Derived Forms

• ˌpsychoˈgenically, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of psychogenic¹

First recorded in 1900–05; psycho- + -genic

Example Sentences

Her medical cause of death was hyponatraemic encephalopathy, acute hyponatremia and psychogenic polydipsia.

From BBC

"By saying we all have psychogenic itching to some degree, we normalise it," she adds.

From BBC

The U.N. concluded that the symptoms were the result of mass psychogenic illness, a form of social panic.

From New York Times

Some published reports have suggested that the symptoms were characteristic of "mass psychogenic illness," but the declassified report rejects that, finding that the AHIs "do not fit criteria for mass psychogenic illness."

From Salon

No evidence was found to support the suspicions, and WHO said it appeared to be a “mass psychogenic illness.”

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• mental
• metaphysical
• psychological
• spiritual
• supernatural