[Psychosomatic principles and therapy of chronic diseases]

Chronic illness is the main problem in modern medicine. The manner in which a person psychologically faces his chronic illnesses and attempts to deal with them represents his individual coping process. Psychosocial disturbances are more frequently present in the chronically ill than in the physically healthy and require application of step-wise psychotherapeutic treatment measures. Different problems and disturbances demand distinct therapeutic approaches. The therapeutic measures range from a comprehensive psychosomatic extensive treatment by a physician to professional psychotherapy.