adj

psychosomatic

seye-koh-suh-MA-tihk

adj

Describing a physical symptom or illness that is caused or worsened by mental or emotional factors.

"The doctor suspected her chronic headaches were psychosomatic, linked to work stress."

How to Use Psychosomatic

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA real physical symptom that's rooted in stress, anxiety, or other mental causes rather than a purely physical injury or disease.

Common mistake

Psychosomatic symptoms are real, not "fake" or imagined — the pain is genuine even though the trigger is mental.

Common pairings

psychosomatic illness psychosomatic pain

more psychosomatic comparative, most psychosomatic superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

The doctor suspected her chronic headaches were _____, linked to work stress.

From psycho- + somatic (relating to the body).

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