Clinical psychology for cardiac disease

Abstract

From its very beginning, modern scientific psychology has dealt with issues regarding mind-body, health-disease relationships; in particular, clinical psychology, in its various applications, has tried to provide a structure to psychological concepts tied to organic disease. Clinical psychology is described as the area of psychology whose objectives are the explanation, understanding, interpretation and reorganization of dysfunctional or pathological mental processes, both individual and interpersonal, together with their behavioral and psychobiological correlates [2]. Clinical psychology is characterized by a variety of models, methods, theories and techniques, each of which has its own historical reason. Its core and indispensable common denominator is clinical practice, be it intended for individuals, groups or collectives [3]. Among its areas of application we can include psychosomatics, health psychology and hospital psychology, where clinical psychology offers a relevant and coherent scientific, professional and training frame through contributions aimed at health maintenance and promotion, identification of etiological and diagnostic correlates, analysis and improvement of health care, and enhancement of public health [4]. © 2006 Springer-Verlag Milan.