[Etiology of psychosomatic diseases in childhood (author's transl)].

The etiology of psychosomatic diseases in childhood is discussed. At first the most frequent causes of psychosomatic diseases are briefly reviewed; then the fact is discussed in detail that psychosomatic diseases in childhood are only to understand if one pays attention to the disturbed interrelationship between parents and child. This context makes it necessary that the parents are included in the therapeutic approach. In regard to therapy it is very important to reinstitute the psychosomatic unity; this means, to distract the patient from his somatic symptom and confront himself with his own-personal problems. The appearance of a somatic disease is considered as an effective defense-mechanism and may be understood as an "escape into the disease".