Merck Manual

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Psychological Factors Affecting Other Medical Conditions

By

Joel E. Dimsdale

, MD, University of California, San Diego

Reviewed/Revised Aug 2022 | Modified Sep 2022
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Psychological factors affecting other medical conditions is diagnosed when attitudes or behaviors have a negative effect on a medical disorder that the person has.

Factors that can worsen a medical condition include the following:

  • Denying the significance or severity of symptoms

  • Denying the need for treatment

  • Not following the prescribed treatment plan

  • Not getting the recommended tests

Psychological factors affecting other medical conditions is diagnosed if a psychological factor clearly affects how a disorder progresses.

Treatment involves

NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
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