School Officials: No Known Cause for Strange Symptoms

By ACSH Staff — Nov 06, 2007
A November 6, 2007 piece by David Harrison about what may be psychosomatic illnesses quotes ACSH's Dr. Elizabeth Whelan: Studies over the past few years have described similar cases of inexplicable illnesses and symptoms. In many cases, the condition affects young women and may be caused by anxiety or stress, said Elizabeth Whelan, a doctor of public health and epidemiology in New York. "There's no underlying biological explanation for it," she said. "They may act sick or feel sick, but there's nothing there to biologically explain it."

A November 6, 2007 piece by David Harrison about what may be psychosomatic illnesses quotes ACSH's Dr. Elizabeth Whelan:

Studies over the past few years have described similar cases of inexplicable illnesses and symptoms. In many cases, the condition affects young women and may be caused by anxiety or stress, said Elizabeth Whelan, a doctor of public health and epidemiology in New York.

"There's no underlying biological explanation for it," she said. "They may act sick or feel sick, but there's nothing there to biologically explain it."