What are the clinical manifestations of psychogenic mental disorders?

Psychogenic mental disorders are clinically characterized by emotional disturbances, cognitive impairments, behavioral changes, physical discomfort, and social withdrawal. Symptoms are often associated with psychosocial stressors and closely correlate in severity with the intensity of the stress. If symptoms persist for more than one month, interfere with normal daily functioning, or involve tendencies toward self-harm, timely medical evaluation is recommended.

1. Emotional disturbances: These may manifest as sudden anxiety, fear, or depression; severe mood swings; irritability; or emotional numbness and apathy. Patients may lose interest in activities they previously enjoyed. Emotional responses are typically directly linked to the stressful event.

2. Cognitive impairments: These include difficulty concentrating, memory decline, slowed thinking, distorted perception of events, excessive focus on details related to the stressor, and impaired logical reasoning.

3. Behavioral changes: Patients may exhibit avoidance behaviors, deliberately staying away from people or situations associated with the traumatic event. Alternatively, they may display impulsive actions or restlessness. Some individuals may reduce social interactions and show a decline in self-care abilities.

4. Physical discomfort: Symptoms such as headache, dizziness, chest tightness, palpitations, insomnia, and decreased appetite may occur. These physical symptoms lack evidence of underlying organic disease and tend to fluctuate in parallel with psychological state, often improving as stress diminishes.

5. Social withdrawal: Patients may avoid communication, distance themselves from family and friends, respond indifferently to others' concern, and avoid social settings, gradually isolating themselves. In severe cases, this can disrupt work, study, or daily routines.

To support patients, create a safe and comfortable environment, avoid mentioning stress-inducing events, provide attentive listening and empathy, encourage participation in light, enjoyable activities, help divert attention, and guide them toward developing positive emotion-regulation strategies.