I. Foundations.- 1. Conceptual Framework.- Defining Psychosomatics.- Homeostatic Approach.- Conscious and Unconscious.- Psychology and Physiology.- References.- 2. Historical Overview.- Ancient Ideas.- Modern Times.- Psychophysical Parallelism.- The Beginnings of Psychosomatic Medicine.- References.- 3. Psychoanalysis.- Sigmund Freud.- Alexander’s Theory.- Other Psychoanalytic Approaches.- References.- 4. Neurophysiological Approach.- Cannon and Selye.- Alexander.- Specificity of Emotional Factors in Psychosomatic Disturbances.- Corticovisceral Medicine.- Current Research.- References.- 5. The Immune System.- Anatomy and Physiology of the Immune System.- Autoimmune and Antiautoimmune Diseases.- Psychological Aspects.- References.- 6. Monistic Transitionism.- The Concept of Change.- Psychosomatic Symptoms.- A Few Cases.- Psychosomatic Pseudopregnancy.- Psychosomatic Heart Trouble.- Encopresis.- Pubic Area Skin Rash.- Throwing Up.- References.- II. Etiological Considerations.- 7. Stress.- Defining Stress.- Stressors.- Prolonged Stress.- Response to Stress.- Appraisal and Coping.- Conceptual Evolution.- References.- 8. Conditioned Reflexes.- Pavlov’s Theory.- Unconscious Motivation.- Heart Rate and Conditioning.- Operant Conditioning.- References.- 9. Sociocultural Determinants.- The Basic Drives.- Equilibrium and Constancy.- The Psychophysiological Link.- Stressful Situations.- Migration.- References.- 10. Parents and Children.- Parental Attitudes.- The Impact of Divorce.- The Mother-Child Relationship.- The Choice of Symptoms.- Socioeconomic Factors.- References.- 11. Personality Types.- A and B Types.- Genetic Predisposition.- References.- III. The Disorders.- 12. Hypochondriasis.- Definitions.- Etiology.- Hypochondriasis and Depression.- Hypochondriasis and Personality Type.- References.- 13. Asthma.- Defining Asthma.- Incidence.- Etiological Studies.- “Conditioned” Asthma.- Emotional Factors.- Parental Attitudes.- Inner Conflicts.- References.- 14. Gastrointestinal Diseases.- Anorexia Nervosa.- Bulimia.- Anorectic Families.- Gastric Neurosis.- Ulcers.- Ulcers in Children.- Ulcerative Colitis.- Irritable Bowel Syndrome.- Encopresis.- Diarrhea.- Obesity.- Affiliation Motive and Depression.- Parent-Child Relationship.- Body Image.- Obesity and Schizophrenia.- References.- 15. Cardiovascular Diseases.- Etiology.- Coronary Heart Disease.- Family Background.- The Work Environment.- Essential Hypertension: Symptoms.- Psychological Factors.- Essential Hypertension: The Nervous System.- Mitral Valve Prolapse.- Various Cardiovascular Diseases.- References.- 16. Skin Diseases.- The Vital Functions.- Anatomy and Physiology.- Skin and Psychosomatics.- Allergies.- Dermatitis.- Neurodermatitis.- Pruritus Anogenitalis.- Infantile Eczema.- Urticaria (Hives).- Acne.- Hyperhydrosis.- Rosacea.- Psoriasis.- Delusional Parasitosis.- Self-Imposed Skin Diseases.- References.- 17. Psychosomatic Aspects of Cancer.- Symptomatology.- Lung Cancer.- Breast Cancer.- Multiple Myeloma.- Leukemia.- Liver Cancer.- Kidney Cancer.- Stomach Cancer.- Cancer of the Uterus.- Prostate Cancer.- Etiology.- Genetic Factors: Male and Female Cancer Ratios.- The Hammer-and-Anvil Interaction.- Psychosocial Factors.- Emotional Factors.- Premorbid Background.- The Course of the Disease.- Prognosis.- Resilience.- A Case Description.- References.- 18. Pain.- Survival and Power.- Elation and Depression.- The Purpose of Pain.- Pain and Pleasure.- The Posthedonic Level: The Antigone Principle.- Physiological Aspects of Pain.- Naloxone.- Psychosomatic or Somatopsychic?.- Attitude toward Pain.- Reaction to Pain.- Theories of Pain.- Headaches.- Tension Headaches.- Other Pains.- References.- 19. Psychosomatic Issues in Sexuality and Gynecology.- Psychoanalytic Interpretation.- Sexual Inadequacy.- Sexual Disorders in Organic Diseases.- Gender Identity and Role.- Homosexuality.- Pregnancy.- Postpartum Depression.- Menopause.- References.- 20. Psychosomatic Issues in Diabetes, Arthritis, Thyroid Diseases, Muscular Tensions, and Infectious Diseases.- The Immune System.- Diabetes Mellitus.- Osteoarthritis.- Rheumatoid Arthritis.- Backache.- Diseases of the Thyroid Gland.- Thyrotoxicosis.- Hyperthyroidism.- Hypothyroidism (Myxedema).- Muscular Tensions.- Infectious Diseases.- References.- 21. Psychosomatic Issues in Mental Disorders.- Anxiety.- School Phobia.- Conversion Hysteria.- Depression.- Etiological Factors.- References.- 22. Mental Disorders: Schizophrenia.- Genetics.- Neurochemistry.- Endorphin.- Neurophysiology.- Stress and Schizophrenia.- Sociopsychosomatic Theory.- Downward Adjustment.- Mental Processes.- Conditioning.- Analgesia.- The Schizophrenic Paradox.- References.- IV. Treatment Methods.- 23. Basic Premises.- Etiological Considerations.- General Rules.- References.- 24. Differential Diagnosis.- Nosology: Classification of Diseases.- Therapeutic Considerations.- Diagnosis and Behavioral Methods.- Prognostic Considerations.- Psychosocial Field.- Kimball’s Diagnostic Method.- Diagnostic Difficulties.- Some Recent Developments.- References.- 25. Psychoanalytic Methods.- Free Association.- Resistance.- Transference.- Insight.- Alexander’s Technique.- Treatment of Ulcers.- Treatment of Colitis.- Alexithymia.- References.- 26. Behavior Therapy.- The Various Approaches.- Token Economy Programs.- Goal-Directed Behavior.- Systematic Desensitization in the Treatment of Psychosomatic Disorders.- Discrimination Training in Exacerbated Psychosomatic Cases.- Behavioral Skills Training.- Behavioral Treatment of Anorexia.- Behavioral Treatment of Obesity.- Behavioral Treatment of Sexual Disorders.- A Case Description.- Treatment of Coronary Heart Disease.- Treatment of Pain.- Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.- Treatment of Dermatological Disorders.- References.- 27. Interactional Psychotherapy.- Transference.- Courage and Wisdom: The Purposes of Interactional Psychotherapy.- Becoming: Self-Realization.- Psychosomatic Disorders.- Hypochondriasis.- Cardiovascular Symptoms.- References.- 28. Biofeedback, Autogenic Therapy, Meditation, and Hypnosis.- Biofeedback.- Biofeedback Therapy.- Clinical Biofeedback Training.- Biofeedback and Psychosomatic Disorders.- Tension Headaches, Bruxism, and Asthma.- Gastrointestinal Symptoms.- Cardiovascular Symptoms.- Autogenic Therapy.- States of Consciousness.- A Case Report.- Meditation.- Hypnosis.- References.- 29. Coping.- Defining Coping.- Cognitive Appraisal.- Outcomes of Coping.- Prevention of Psychosomatic Disorders.- References.- Author Index.