Psychosomatic Illnesses

Maurice Prout

Psychosomatic Illnesses

An accomplished psychologist and educator, Dr. Maurice Prout currently serves as director of the Respecialization Program at Widener University’s Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology .The clinical interests of Dr. Maurice Prout include cognitive behavioral theory, acceptance and committment therapy (ACT), stress management programs, and psychosomatics.

Psychosomatic Illnesses

Broadly speaking, the term “psychosomatic” refers to physical symptoms or illnesses caused by emotional or mental stress .Psychosomatic disorders may be the result of serious mental disturbances or simple everyday stresses.

Psychosomatic Illnesses

Although psychosomatic disorders can affect nearly any part of the body, they most commonly affect the physiological systems that are not under the control of the voluntary nervous system. Examples of psychosomaticillnesses include chronic fatigue syndrome, panic attacks, and ulcers.

Psychosomatic Illnesses

Treatments for patients experiencing psychosomatic illnesses include options such as psychoanalysis, behavior therapy, and medication. Some patients with mild psychosomatic illnesses can address them using stress management techniques alone. Failure to treat the underlying psychological causes of the illnesses often results in symptoms recurring.