The Psychosomatic Emergency

Many psychiatric problems present themselves under the guise of physical rather than mental symptoms.These occur in several categories: (1) Psychological problems which work in conjunction with definitive organic pathology, such as the fear of death. (2) Symptoms produced by altered physiology or biochemistry resultant from an acute orchronic stress state. (3) A combination of A and B above. (4) Patients with an intense disease, such as hypochondriasis. (5) Psychiatric symptoms, such as depression, anxiety or apathy which develop antecedent or subsequent to a fearfully anticipated illness or procedure.These patients have certain characteristics in common. (1) They manifest a disproportionate concern over symptoms. (2) The symptoms are inconsistent with the usual pattern of organic disease. (3) The onset is concurrent with states of conflict. (4) There is usually a personal and family history of psychic and psychosomatic disorders. (5) Other psychiatric disorders are usually present. (6) Secondary gain is usually evident.These patients can be successfully treated within the hospital setting and within the framework of psychiatric consultation and psychotherapy.