Is it all in your head, or not identified yet?
The body and mind are intricately connected, and sometimes, this connection can lead to physical symptoms driven by emotional stress.
These are known as psychosomatic disorders, and they demonstrate just how powerful stress, unresolved trauma and emotions can be in affecting our physical health.
However, not all unexplained symptoms fall into this category. Some are the result of hard-to-diagnose medical conditions that science hasn’t fully understood yet.
Let’s explore psychosomatic disorders, their causes, and how they differ from illnesses that defy diagnosis.
Psychosomatic disorders
Psychosomatic disorders occur when emotional factors like stress and anxiety trigger or worsen physical symptoms. These symptoms are real — not “all in your head” — but their root cause lies in how your brain and body interact.
These may include:
• Chest pain from anxiety (even with a healthy heart) right before a test
• A rash that flares during an argument
• Migraines triggered by chronic stress
• Your heart beating out of your chest before public speaking
Stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, increasing cortisol and adrenaline. Over time, this state of hyperarousal can worsen conditions like migraines, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and fibromyalgia.
What doctors may not know
Not every unexplained symptom is psychosomatic. Some conditions, like multiple sclerosis (MS), were nearly impossible to diagnose before MRI technology became available to detect brain and spinal lesions. In such cases, the problem wasn’t psychosomatic; it simply hadn’t been uncovered yet.
Conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome or some neurological disorders involve real symptoms that may stem from multiple, complex factors science hasn’t fully mapped.
Doctors often rely on their specialty’s “toolbox,” which can limit their diagnostic perspectives. For example, a Lyme specialist might diagnose Lyme disease even with inconclusive results, while a rheumatologist may label borderline symptoms as autoimmune disease.
This isn’t to suggest doctors are wrong; they’re often working with the best information they have. But as a patient, being your own advocate and seeking multiple opinions is essential.
Advocate for yourself
Psychosomatic disorders include real symptoms that are linked to the mind-body connection. Hard-to-diagnose conditions also have real symptoms without a clear explanation, often due to science’s limitations.
Both deserve empathy, so I want to assure you that your experience is valid, and that healing starts with being heard and supported.
Living with unexplained symptoms can feel lonely and exhausting. Whether your condition stems from psychosomatic factors or a hard-to-diagnose illness, your journey matters. Stay curious, stay strong, and never stop advocating for yourself!
If you’re interested in a deeper dive into this topic, I’ve written a longer, more comprehensive blog on my website at suzycohen.com.
Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe.
