Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A medical cause refers to an identifiable physical condition or disease that can explain the symptoms experienced by an individual.
Related terms
Psychosomatic Disorder: This term refers to a disorder where psychological factors, such as stress or emotional distress, manifest as physical symptoms in the absence of any clear medical cause.
Conversion disorder involves experiencing physical symptoms, such as paralysis or blindness, that are inconsistent with any known medical condition but are believed to be caused by psychological distress.
Somatization Disorder: Somatization disorder is characterized by recurring and multiple physical complaints over several years without any obvious medical explanation.