Psychosomatic medicine deals with physical disorders that are also called psychophysiologic disorders, or somatoform disorders. An illness may be considered psychosomatic when it seems to result from strong emotional conditions such as anxiety, trauma, depression, anger or guilt, rather than a physical cause. A physician who specializes in psychosomatic medicine will first test the patient to rule out physical causes. A psychosomatic illness will often respond to pain medication or other medical help, but psychological assessment is required to find the underlying cause of the illness.

Some psychosomatic illnesses are irritable bowel syndrome, upset stomach, muscle aches, tension headaches, panic attacks, colitis and ulcers, and even infertility. Psychological stress can reduce the effectiveness of the immune system and lower energy levels, allowing the body to create or worsen physical diseases. The way a person handles stress often affects the severity of psychosomatic illnesses.

Doctor density varies by specialty and location. Idaho has 1 practicing psychosomatic medicine doctor in Coeur D Alene.

Idaho achieved statehood 1890, and its capital city is Boise. The recent boom of science and technology has superseded agriculture and tourism as the state’s primary resource. Visit the Idaho State Historical Society or the Morrison Center for the Performing Arts in Boise, or tour the Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa. Places to see in Idaho include a mountain resort, a mining-era town, the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, or the Ernest Hemingway Memorial.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Idaho has a population of 1,429,096. Of this population, 365,765 are under the age of 18 and 163,142 are at or above the age of 65.