title: Somatization and the self: psychotherapeutic issues.
abstract: Somatization has often been regarded as a defense against underlying unconscious conflict. However, it may also represent an internal experience which arises in response to psychological stress. During psychotherapy with patients with an unstable self-representation, a perceived disruption in the transference relationship may produce distress that is experienced in terms of physical discomfort and heightened bodily awareness.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D004532:Ego; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012649:Self Concept; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology