IM OK YOURE NOT - MEDICAL SOCIALIZATION AND PSYCHOSOMATIC ILLNESS

While it is widely recognized that there is universal experience of so matic manifestations of emotional responses, the objective mode used i n teaching medical students about medical and psychiatric conditions i gnores these common subjective experiences. The usual self-protective mind-set of the student or physician approaching a patient with psycho somatic complaints is often one of 'I'm OK, you're not'. Perhaps by em phasizing a recognition of the universality of psychosomatic experienc es with a difference in degree, we can enhance the ability of students to assume an empathic approach to psychosomatic complaints and decrea se the stigma felt by patients with such problems.