Amplification (psychology)

Amplification is a judged tendency of a person to amplify physical symptoms based on negative psychological factors such as anxiety or depression.

A distinct interpretation of amplification could be sensory processing disorder involving differences in the way a person reacts to sensory input, a symptom associated autism spectrum disorder.

[1] An indicidual’s psychological state has been documented to affect the course of upper respiratory tract infection,[2][3] post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome,[4] and musculoskeletal pain.

[6][7] Amplification may also contribute to multiple-drug intolerance (if the adverse effects that are reported are non-specific).

[8] It is unclear whether amplification is related to observations that Type A personality traits may be associated with delayed recovery after organic illness.