Psychological Factors Affecting Other Medical Conditions

About Psychological Factors Affecting Other Medical Conditions

Psychological factors affecting other medical conditions is a DSM-5 diagnosis in the somatic symptom and related disorders chapter. It applies when a person has a medical symptom or condition and psychological or behavioral factors adversely affect it, for example by influencing its course, interfering with treatment, adding to health risks, or worsening the underlying physiology. Examples include anxiety that worsens asthma, denial of the need for treatment of serious chest pain, stress that triggers flares of a chronic condition, or difficulty following a treatment plan for diabetes. The factors may include distress, patterns of interpersonal interaction, coping styles and health behaviors. The diagnosis is meant to describe the interaction between mind and body rather than to suggest that the medical condition is not real. Management usually involves integrated care between medical and mental health professionals, with psychological approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, stress management and support for treatment adherence.