Psychosomatics for all--past, present and future

It used to be fashionable to begin consideration of psychosomatics about philosophy of mind and body. Nowadays it is a topic about health and practical care of patients--principally about the psychological aspects of any illness. Pathogenesis is becoming understood with some risk factors clearly identifiable. The high incidence of symptoms attributable to emotional disturbance has now been described in so many conditions that it is altering the delivery of health services. The boundaries of psychosomatics are extending. No longer is the topic confined to a few chronic diseases, even including new ones like AIDS, but it now includes support for carers and education about behaviour for health, to name two currently important aspects. The responsibility for the biopsychosocial approach does not lie alone with doctors, and certainly not only psychiatrists, but the many professionals involved in clinical care. The aim is not simply reducing symptoms, but improving functional capabilities and preventing social disadvantage. The more the advance of knowledge, the more intriguing become the questions awaiting answers. The risk factors due to predisposition or unhealthy behaviour and stress still only account for a small contribution to aetiology. Coping mechanisms, whether in personality or social support, still defy enough understanding to predict which patients will develop emotional disturbance, and which patients will respond to appropriate treatment. Perhaps, the most intriguing question is why, when certain relevant facts about unhealthy behaviour are beyond dispute, such as the effect of drinking excessive alcohol, smoking nicotine, having unsafe sex, poor family caring or receiving insensitive treatment, it remains so difficult to bring about improvement.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)