Final answer:
Psychosomatic disorders are physical conditions influenced or exacerbated by stress and emotional factors, with stress impacting the immune system and contributing to disorders like cardiovascular issues and asthma.
Step-by-step explanation:
Physical disorders or diseases whose symptoms are brought about or worsened by stress and emotional factors are known as psychosomatic disorders. These disorders arise when psychological aspects exert a substantial effect on the body's physiological processes, leading to or exacerbating illness. For instance, stress can play a crucial role in the development and progression of cardiovascular disorders and asthma. Note that the immune system is one significant pathway through which stress can provoke health issues.
It's important to understand that prolonged or intense stress can also lead to severe psychological disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, in addition to physical health concerns. Conditions like these demonstrate that our responses to stress—and the activation of stress-related physiological systems over long periods—can result in substantial wear on the body, not unlike overuse of a mechanical system leading to breakdown.