Psychotherapy High Wycombe Psychotherapy High Wycombe - Last updated 07 January 2026

DSM Reference Home

DSM-IV: Psychological Factors Affecting Medical Condition

This term is classified under "other conditions" and is used when specific psychological factors are judged to interfere with treatment, affect the course, add to the associated risk, or exacerbate symptoms of a general Medical Condition. These can include any of the mental disorders as well as symptoms and personality traits.

Diagnostic criteria for 316 ... [Specified Psychological Factor] Affecting... [Indicate the General Medical Condition]

A. A general medical condition (coded on Axis III) is present.

B. Psychological factors adversely affect the general medical condition in one of the following ways:

(1) the factors have influenced the course of the general medical condition as shown by a close temporal association between the psychological factors and the development or exacerbation of, or delayed recovery from, the general medical condition
(2) the factors interfere with the treatment of the general medical condition
(3) the factors constitute additional health risks for the individual
(4) stress-related physiological responses precipitate or exacerbate symptoms of the general medical condition

Choose name based on the nature of the psychological factors (if more than one factor is present, indicate the most prominent):

Mental Disorder Affecting... [Indicate the General Medical Condition] (e.g. an Axis I disorder such as Major Depressive Disorder delaying recovery from a myocardial infarction)
Psychological Symptoms Affecting... [Indicate the General Medical Condition] (e.g. depressive symptoms delaying recovery from surgery; anxiety exacerbating asthma)
Personality Traits or Coping Style Affecting... [Indicate the General Medical Condition] (e.g. pathological denial of the need for surgery in a patient with cancer; hostile, pressured behavior contributing to cardiovascular disease)
Maladaptive Health Behaviors Affecting... [Indicate the General Medical Condition] (e.g. overeating; lack of exercise; unsafe sex) Stress-Related
Physiological Response Affecting... [Indicate the General Medical Condition] (e.g. stress-related exacerbations of ulcer, hypertension, arrhythmia, or tension headache)
Other or Unspecified Psychological Factors Affecting... [Indicate the General Medical Condition] (e.g. interpersonal, cultural, or religious factors)

Based on the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition APA

Also: organ jargon, psychosomatic, Somatoform Disorders

The online Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders lists most of the major psychological disorders and illnesses and lists the criteria that must be fulfilled in order for a diagnosis to be made. This resource is not a substitute for proper professional psychiatric diagnosis.