Why, when a patient with prior psych history complains of physiological ailments, do doctors mainly focus on the psychiatric aspect? why can't we be treated like everyone else in internal medicine? do they think we're faking it, or just paranoid?

Treating the Whole: In treating patients, a "wholeistic" approach is important. If a Dr focuses on just the physical apart from the psychological, the treatments may often be less effective regardless of a patients history. Physiological conditions and symptoms are frequently tied together with Psychological symptoms. They are both important in the treatment of the Whole person.

Assessment: Agree with Dr. Kratzberg. I think most doctors would focus on the medical compliants while remaining aware of impact of any psychiatric issues. Now if there are issues such as Health Anxiety (hypochondriasis), Conversion disorder, Munchausen syndrome, Factitious disorder, malingering or issues that can have a significant psychosomatic component - then psychiatric issues are even more important.