Abstract

All illness has both psychological and physical dimensions. This may seem a startling claim, but on reflection it is Uncontrovcrsial. Diseases don't come to doctors, patients do-and the processes by which patients detect, describe, and ponder their symptoms arc all eminently psychological. This theoretical point has practical implications. If we adopt a "bio-psycho-social" approach to illness generally, one which recognises the biological, psychological, and social aspects of our lives, we become less likely to neglect the treatable psychological origins of many physical complaints (from globus hystericus to full blown conversion disorder) and the treatable psychological consequences (such as depression and anxiety) of much physical disease.