STRESS, STIGMATIZATION AND PSYCHOSOMATIC PURPURAS

Stress is a term that is readily recognized by everyone but defines ri gorous scientific definition. It is widely interpreted as the emotiona l and biologic responses to novel or threatening situations. In humans , however, the term ''distress'' seems to be preferable, more clearly defining the fact that is the response that is being referred to, rath er than the stimulus. Distress has been postulated to be capable of pr ecipitating an overt illness, as when it occurs coincidentally with an incipient infection or neoplasm. Moreover, it is able to provoke seve ral disorders and symptoms in many tissues and organs, including the s kin. In this paper the authors focus on the main characteristics of st ress and emphasize the relevance of psychosomatic medicine that propos es the simultaneous examination of psyche and soma. Special considerat ion is given to a peculiar form of skin disease, psychogenic purpura, together with the stigmata of mystics that, in large part, seem to be conditioned or provoked (or provocable) by emotional stress or by psyc hic influences on cutaneous fibrinolytic activity.