Medical causes still matter
New symptoms, red flags and meaningful changes need appropriate medical assessment. A psychiatric consultation does not replace examination or condition-specific medical care.
Persistent symptoms · mind and body · careful assessment
Persistent Physical Symptoms and Mind-Body Care
Symptoms can be real and disabling even when tests have not found a complete explanation. The right response is neither endless investigation nor 'it is all in your head'. It is a structured review of what has been checked, what has changed, and how the nervous system, sleep, mood, stress and behaviour may be interacting with physical illness.
A structured approach
The aim is a usable explanation, not a label
More than one cause can coexist
A physical condition, chronic primary pain, medication effects, poor sleep, panic physiology, depression and sustained stress can all contribute at the same time.
Function is part of treatment
Care may focus on sleep, pacing, fear and avoidance, mood or anxiety treatment, and a coordinated plan with other clinicians. Improvement in quality of life can matter even when a symptom does not disappear.
What assessment covers
The person, the pattern and the context
A page can explain the framework. It cannot decide whether a diagnosis applies or which treatment fits an individual.
- The symptom timeline, previous investigations and what has already been ruled in or ruled out.
- Medication, substance use, sleep, activity, nutrition and any pattern of flares.
- How symptoms affect work, movement, relationships, mood and attention.
- Whether repeated reassurance, checking or avoidance is increasing distress or disability.
What this page does not imply
The term psychosomatic does not mean imaginary, fabricated or under voluntary control. It also should not be used to close medical assessment prematurely. A diagnosis may change when the presentation changes.
When routine care is not enough
Seek urgent medical assessment for chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, sudden neurological symptoms, rapidly worsening weakness, high fever, significant bleeding, a new severe headache, or another acute change. This page cannot triage a new physical symptom.