THE NOTION OF SOMATIZATION - AN ARTIFACT OF THE CONCEPTUALIZATION OF BODY AND MIND

Background: 'Somatization' is a contemporary notion which derives from the conceptualization of body and mind and the resultant concept of d isease. The common element in this thinking is that the presumed separ ation of the concepts body and mind can be spanned by clinical symptom s. Methods: This paper examines the history of these concepts and the assumptions underlying them. Results: It is shown that the debate on t he pathological regions of the body-mind relation is of early origin. It is reflected in the evolution of concepts of disease and disease en tities. The ongoing attempts to form a conceptual synthesis have resul ted in a multiplicity of disease entities and in the notion of somatiz ation. However, somatization is shown here to differ conceptually from controversial contemporary disease entities with which it often seems intertwined, such as myalgic encephalomyelitis and the hypersensitivi ty syndrome. Conclusion: This insight may help diminish the ambiguity in this area of research and practice.