Psychopharmacological agents in physical disorders.

Psychotropic drugs act on multiple organ systems, but their intended action is related to their effect on neurohormones and receptors in the limbic area of the brain. These drugs are also employed with benefit in a number of diverse physical disorders including immunological (arthritis), gastrointestinal (peptic ulcer, ulcerative colitis), neurological (epilepsy), and hematological (leukopenia) conditions. While their clinical efficacy enhances our armamentarium to treat these disorders, understanding their mode of action in treating the physically ill patients may yield the missing link between the psyche and the soma.