The Physiological Basis for Psychosomatic Medicine
Authors: EDWARD J. KOLLAR
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1967)

Review1 October 1967The Physiological Basis for Psychosomatic MedicineA Historical ViewEDWARD J. KOLLAR, M.D., MICHAEL ALCALAY, A.B.EDWARD J. KOLLAR, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, MICHAEL ALCALAY, A.B.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-67-4-883 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptLate nineteenth-century and early twentieth-century medical thought was dominated by a concept of cellular disease that held that disorganization of cellular processes led to structural changes and, thus, to physiological or functional disturbances (1-3). Although this concept is still preeminent, present medical thought also includes the notion that cellular disease and structural change may occur as a consequence of functional disturbance. A variant of this later idea is the psychosomatic approach which holds that psychological conflict or stress can cause functional impairment that in turn may produce pathological or structural changes in the cells and the tissues. The purpose of...References1. BAAS JH: Outlines of the History of Medicine and the Medical Profession. J. H. Vail and Co., New York, 1889. Google Scholar2. HOPPS HC: Principles of Pathology. Appleton-Century-Crofts, Affiliate of Meredith Publishing Co., New York, 1964. Google Scholar3. LONG ER: A History of Pathology. The Williams & Wilkins Co., Baltimore, 1928. Google Scholar4. LONG ER: Ibid., p. 113. Google Scholar5. LONG ER: Selected Readings in Pathology. Charles C Thomas, Publisher, Springfield, Ill., 1961, pp. 66-73. Google Scholar6. LONG ER: Ibid., pp. 149-157. Google Scholar7. CAMERON GR: The Pathology of the Cell. Oliver and Bond, London, 1952, p. 3. Google Scholar8. LONG ER: Selected Readings in Pathology. 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Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Los Angeles, CaliforniaFrom the Department of Psychiatry, UCLA School of Medicine, and the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute, Los Angeles, Calif.Requests for reprints should be addressed to Edward J. Kollar, M.D., UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, Calif. 90024. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByPsychosomatic Medicine: Past and Present Part I. Historical BackgroundAnxietyAn analysis of 1,331 sedations using inhalation, intravenous, or other techniques 1 October 1967Volume 67, Issue 4Page: 883-895KeywordsCellsPsychological stress Issue Published: 1 October 1967 PDF DownloadLoading ...