Recent Examples on the Web

State Department officials have expressed skepticism at the idea that the diplomats’ illness could be psychogenic. Michael P. H. Stanley, National Review, "The Curious Case of ‘Havana Syndrome’," 22 Aug. 2020

Christle discusses a moth species that sups on elephant tears; why plane travellers sob in the air; the difference between basal, irritant, and psychogenic eye water. Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, "“The Crying Book” Reveals How Tears Can Help Us, and How They Can’t," 8 Jan. 2020

While Parkinson’s is treated with medications such as levodopa, patients determined to have a functional or psychogenic condition are often prescribed psychological regimens such as cognitive behavioral therapy. David Armstrong, ProPublica, "In Men, It’s Parkinson’s. In Women, It’s Hysteria.," 23 Aug. 2019

At Patton, Nunez was treated for schizophrenia and developed psychogenic polydipsia, which drives a pervasive addiction to water. San Diego Union-Tribune, "Lapses in treatment, medical care spell horrific ends for mentally ill inmates," 23 Sep. 2019

That’s the type of vague complaint that could point to a psychogenic diagnosis. David Armstrong, ProPublica, "In Men, It’s Parkinson’s. In Women, It’s Hysteria.," 23 Aug. 2019

Theories range from the existence of a dubious sonic weapon, to mass psychogenic illness, to infectious agents, chemical exposure, malfunctioning surveillance equipment, and a mix of stress and crickets. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "Brain imaging weirdness adds to Cuba “health attack” mystery," 24 July 2019

Other researchers and physicians maintain that mass psychogenic illness could explain some, if not all, of the symptoms. Richard Stone, Science | AAAS, "Sonic attack or mass paranoia? New evidence stokes debate over diplomats’ mysterious illness," 20 June 2018

In December, Science reported that a panel of Cuban scientists—who did not have access to the US personnel affected in the incidents—concluded that mass psychogenic illness (MPI) was the most likely explanation. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "US pulls two more from Cuba amid puzzling health cases now affecting China," 11 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'psychogenic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.