[Explanatory models for chronicity of psychiatric disorders]

Chronic psychic disorders are very frequent. Corresponding to the psychic illness there are several reasons: the diagnosis is not correct; the therapy is insufficient; additional somatic disorders (like addiction) influence the psychic conditions or psychic burdens (conflicts, problems etc.) delay the psychic disorder. Some psychic disturbances show a long development which would allow an earlier therapeutic intervention in order to prevent a later chronic state. Psychosomatic illnesses are characterized by psychoneurotic signs like anxiety or depression, by influences of stressors, by previously acquired abnormal behaviour and by pathophysiological symptoms like overarousal, which support the chronification. The therapeutic efforts should include psychopharmacological methods as well as psychotherapy in the sense of a multidimensional approach.