Painful bruising syndrome, also known as autoerythrocyte sensitization, Gardner–Diamond syndrome, and psychogenic purpura, is an idiopathic trauma-induced condition seen in young to middle-aged women who sometimes manifest personality disorders.
[1]: 829 It is characterized by a distinctive localized purpuric reaction occurring primarily on the legs, face and trunk, with recurring painful ecchymoses variably accompanied by syncope, nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal and intracranial bleeding.
[2] Patients with this condition can experience frequent painful bruising around joints and muscles.
[3] Many patients are labelled with the stigma of having a psychological condition without this having a specifically proven link.
There have been cases of painful bruising syndrome reported where there are no additional psychological disorders.