People so often assume that when emotional factors influence physical symptoms the symptoms are “all in one’s head”. This is just not the case. In fact, the mind-body connection has been understood as far back as Socrates who wrote that the mind and body are  inseparable. The good news about emotional factors impacting physical symptoms is that it provides another point of intervention. When a sufferer of chronic medical conditions addresses sources of stress and anxiety, physical symptoms tend to diminish. This has been found to be the case in numerous studies and is commonly known by those who provide psychotherapeutic services to those experiencing chronic medical conditions. This is true for any and all chronic medical conditions including but not limited to chronic pain, irritable bowel syndrome, crohn’s disease, colitis, heart disease, as well as autoimmune diseases including lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Even the symptoms of cancer are impacted by anxiety and stress. Past trauma whether occurring in childhood or as an adult can cause ongoing anxiety which can exacerbate any medical condition. Interestingly, sufferers of chronic medical conditions have a significantly higher incidence of early trauma than the general population. Anyone suffering from PTSD whether due to early trauma or for example the trauma of war is at greater risk of suffering from a chronic medical condition.