The evolution of psychosomatic thinking: From the psychoanalytic approach to current theories.

Since the establishment of the terms “psychosomatic medicine” and “psychosomatic diseases”, in the psychoanalytic papers of Ferenczi S, Alexander F, Dunbar HF, Deutch H etc, there has been an effort, during the first half of 20th century, by scientists to explore the relation between psychological procedures (specific psychic conflicts, symbolism, childhood traumata, types of personality) and medical conditions. Franz Alexander’s theory of specificity is regarded as the classic one which explains the formation of the seven well-known psychosomatic diseases (hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, peptic ulcer, thyreotoxicosis, ulcerous colitis, asthma, neurodermatitis).