What does psychogenic mean?
Psychogenic means caused by the mind or psychological processes. The word is especially used in medicine to describe symptoms, such as pain, cough, dizziness, or weakness, for which no physical injury or disease adequately explains the problem and psychological factors appear to be responsible. Such symptoms are not imaginary; they can be genuine and disabling even when they do not follow from an identifiable physical condition. Psychogenic should not automatically be confused with psychosomatic: psychogenic emphasizes origin in psychological processes, while psychosomatic more broadly describes physical symptoms influenced by emotional or psychological factors. In general discussion, the term can sound somewhat technical, and its careless use may suggest that a patient is imagining symptoms. Sensitive, precise language is therefore preferable.
adjectiveOriginating in the mind or caused by psychological factors rather than physical causes. In medicine, it describes symptoms or conditions believed to develop through psychological processes.
- Caused by or originating in the mind or psychological processes.
"The specialist diagnosed a psychogenic cough triggered by anxiety."
"Her psychogenic dizziness disappeared after the stress passed."
"The doctor said that the recurring pain was psychogenic rather than caused by nerve damage."
Psychogenic conditions are real and often distressing, even though their symptoms arise without an identifiable physical injury or disease.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does psychogenic come from?
Psychogenic combines Greek psykhē, meaning “mind” or “soul,” with genes, meaning “producing” or “originating.” It was formed in the 19th century during the development of modern psychological and medical terminology. Its relatives include psychology and psychiatry, which draw on the same Greek word for the mind.
Related word forms
How psychogenic is actually used
Most common in medical and psychological contexts. The term can be dismissive if used carelessly, so clinicians generally avoid implying that a patient's symptoms are imaginary. Its use is sometimes more restricted than the broader term psychosomatic.
Easily confused with psychogenic
Psychogenic describes a condition originating in psychological factors, whereas psychomatic more broadly denotes physical symptoms influenced by emotional or psychological factors.