psychosomatic

a term meaning 'relating to both mind and body' and used most often for illnesses and conditions that result from the effects of excessive emotional stress upon the body. Numerous physical ailments can be triggered in this way, from NAUSEA , abdominal pains, ULCERS and ASTHMA to dizziness, INSOMNIA and ARRHYTHMIA . The causes of the stress may be even more numerous but essentially fall into categories such as personal/marital, occupational and social. Although psychological treatment may help, attention to the physical symptoms is more effective.