What is psychosomatics and how to treat non-existent diseases?

Doctors have known since the time of Hippocrates that the physical and mental state of a person are interconnected. More recently, Sigmund Freud argued that unconscious thoughts and feelings can be turned into a physical symptom (that is, a somatic, so-called conversion reaction). Formal research into psychosomatic illnesses began in Europe in the early 20th century. As a result, 3 popular theories were created to explain the occurrence of psychosomatic disorders:

• chronic psychological stress can influence the constitutional weakening of the body's organs (which then become the source of somatic symptoms);

• certain types of stress can cause certain diseases;

• a combination of physiological predisposition (organ weakness) and psychological stress leads to the formation of a psychosomatic disorder.

The third of the traditional theories is the closest to the currently dominant biopsychosocial model, which suggests that biological, psychological and social factors are involved in the development of various diseases.

Physiology of education

Psychosomatic diseases are a special category of ailments that arise and develop as a result of the interaction of certain psychological and physiological factors. In most cases, under the influence of various factors that influence the psyche, a somatic disorder is formed that can cause the development of a real disease.

Such a development of events is diagnosed quite often, but there are cases when a diametrically opposite picture is observed, and a minor physical illness, supported by psychological factors, takes on new outlines and intensity. In general, such disorders are some kind of mental disorder and have absolutely no real problem behind them. As a rule, the first examination confirms the presence of a fictitious disease that does not require treatment.

The formation of similar disorders can occur under the influence of many factors that leave their mark on a person’s personal qualities. Under the influence of experienced stress, the brain projects its consequences onto its own behavior, building a kind of barrier. This is exactly how similar disorders develop, which have absolutely no real cause other than psychological problems.

Education factors

Psychosomatic disorders can have many causes: from stress experienced in childhood to banal problems at work. In most cases, it is social factors that become determining and lead to certain psychological problems, which are expressed in the form of somatic reactions. At the same time, their goal is to avoid the consequences of a previously experienced negative incident. In general, most often such diseases are a response to the following factors and conditions that determine a person’s personal qualities:

• heredity;
• mental characteristics;
• parental influence;
• systematic state of stress;
• overwork;
• various anxieties and experiences;
• the influence of bad habits.

The above reasons may be the main factor in the formation of psychosomatic personality disorders. Moreover, their combination significantly complicates the course of the fictitious disease, making its form more severe and its manifestations more intense.

Causes

The reasons for the development of psychosomatic disorders can be varied and multifaceted. However, in world medical practice there is a certain classification of factors that contribute to the occurrence of such problems. They differ depending on the motives for the formation of the disease and lie in the psychological state of the person. They look like this:

• benefit and motivation;
• personality conflict;
• experienced negative experience;
• extraneous suggestion;
• self-hypnosis;
• identification with another person;
• self-flagellation.

All these factors best describe the structure of the problem and classify the reasons for its development. Thus, in order to achieve a certain social advantage or momentary superiority, the body is pierced by an attack of pain associated with a non-existent illness. A conflict between facets of one personality that are in constant opposition, or an extraneous suggestion about the presence of an unreal disease can also play a role and be a positive factor for the emergence of a psychosomatic disorder.

Psychosomatic diseases in children

Such problems develop not only in adults, but also in children. As a rule, the causes of these disorders are quite extensive. Sometimes even the smallest little thing can become the starting point in the formation of a problem. A similar state of affairs is associated with the imperfection of the child’s body and its increased susceptibility to various factors that influence it. In most cases, problems in the family are reflected in the development of a psychosomatic disorder in the child, who most acutely absorbs them and projects them onto his own personality. The most common causes of such problems affecting the psychology of children are the following factors:

• unhealthy atmosphere in the family;
• problems communicating with peers;
• anxiety for one's own health;
• fear of being alone.

It is these experiences that have the greatest impact on the child. At the same time, there are still a huge number of reasons why a similar disorder can develop. As a rule, they are associated with the individual characteristics of the little person’s body and his sensitivity to the surrounding world, which is especially acute.

Story

The problem of psychosomatic relationships is one of the most complex problems of modern medicine, despite the fact that the close relationship between the mental and the somatic has been noticed and studied for many centuries, since the times of Hippocrates and Aristotle. However, the term “psychosomatics” itself was introduced by I. Heinroth only in 1818, and came into use approximately from 1934-1936. after the works of Dunbar, Jeliffe, Alexander, Wolf and others, M. M. Kabanov emphasizes the need to overcome the artificial opposition between the biological and psychosocial and defines psychosomatic diseases as “purely human” (1990).

At first, psychosomatic medicine was dominated by psychoanalytic concepts, according to which somatic health is determined by the state of the psyche (depressive affect can contribute to physical illness in a person predisposed to this, and a feeling of pleasure can have a rejuvenating effect on the body). There are a large number of theories that describe the causes and mechanisms of the occurrence and development of psychosomatic diseases from the perspective of various scientific schools.

Varieties

Today, there is a certain classification that allows us to most accurately understand the main cause of the formation of psychosomatic disorders and provide their optimal treatment.

All the variety of factors leading to the development of such problems fit into three main criteria that describe them. They look like this:

• conversion;
• functional;
• psychomatosis.

Conversion symptoms represent painful sensations that are not supported by physical factors. Moreover, their formation occurs on a purely subconscious level in response to the action of oppressive factors. As a rule, the pain does not have a clear localization and can periodically occur in different places. Most often it appears in the limbs or chest area, but over time it gradually goes away, changing its location.

Functional signs are expressed in disruption of the functioning of any organs or systems of the body. They arise against the background of a secondary somatic reaction formed by the action of psychological factors. Moreover, such manifestations have a clear localization, affecting a specific organ or system. However, upon examination of this area, the diagnosis is not confirmed, which to some extent calms the person, and the disease recedes on its own.

Content

• 1. History
• 2 Classification 2.1 Conversion symptoms
• 2.2 Functional syndromes
• 2.3 Psychosomatoses

Psychomatoses

Psychomatoses form the largest group, formed from quite specific conditions that are a consequence of conflict experiences. They are based on a bodily reaction, supported by psychological problems, which is expressed in pathological disorders and changes in organs. Today, psychosomatic disorders of this type most often imitate and contribute to the real development of the following diseases:

• diabetes mellitus type 2;
• bronchial asthma;
• obesity;
• ulcerative colitis;
• arterial hypertension;
• neurodermatitis;
• arthritis;
• ulcerative lesions of the stomach;
• thyrotoxicosis;
• cardiac ischemia.

Moreover, in the initial stages of development of the disorder there is no real disease, but only its manifestations that have a psychological background. However, with further progression of the problem and inaction on the part of the person, psychomatosis can cause the emergence of a real disease that can cause serious harm to human health.

Is it right to always avoid negative emotions and conflicts?

American psychoanalyst Franz Alexander believed that high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, migraines, arthritis, diabetes and thyroid diseases are the result of suppressing aggression and containing anger, which found a way out through the sympathetic system - part of the nervous system responsible for stress in the body: contraction and compaction muscle fibers, narrowing of blood vessels, increased blood pressure. So, for example, the psychosomatics of heart disease is expressed in negative feelings suppressed for a long time, forming chronic tension and leading to pathological disorders in the cardiovascular system.

Emotions are important information about how we react to the outside world; we cannot ignore them. Anger or rage helps us mobilize. These emotions are designed to destroy obstacles. If we don’t have anger or we are afraid to face it, or we inhibit it, then we will be passive and lethargic. Svetlana Petrenko believes that people who talk openly about their emotions are usually more sincere and healthier than those who suppress them.

“What does a person do who doesn’t want to get sick? He starts playing sports, supports himself, and if he constantly lives in fear, the body will be more susceptible to diseases,” the psychologist notes, “Each virus lives in its own frequency space. Why, for example, do doctors who work at the epicenter of an epidemiological disaster not get sick? Much depends on the mental attitude, the attitude is important. Illness is a refusal to move forward, and for some it also becomes the meaning of life. Our body has all the necessary resources, and we ourselves are responsible for our mental state and health.”

Symptoms

Symptoms of psychosomatic illness may vary depending on the underlying illness being simulated. However, in some they are mild, which implies the initial stages of the disorder. In other cases, their intensity increases sharply, which is a reflection of more serious stages of development of a person’s psychological instability. The main manifestation of any such illness is the presence of pain that accompanies each type of disorder. They are its most striking sign, provoking a worsening of the situation and the appearance of new symptoms that develop against the background of the initial manifestation. In general, psychosomatic problems are characterized by the following symptoms:

• pain;
• increased heart rate;
• heaviness in the arms and legs;
• chills;
• nausea;
• dyspnea;
• stomach upset;
• weakness;
• fast fatiguability;
• dizziness;
• numbness of the limbs.

Each of these symptoms and their manifestations characterize the presence of certain mental problems inherent in a person. At the same time, additional manifestations inherent in one or another fictitious illness that a person suffers from at a given time may be added to such signs.

Treatment Basics

Treatment of psychosomatic disorders is based on the use of an integrated approach. It is not based on the action of any medications or techniques, but on psychological assistance, which is necessary in such a situation. When testing is carried out, the initial diagnosis is not confirmed, and the patient is not prescribed a traditional set of medications and prescriptions for procedures, but is referred to a psychologist. It is psychotherapy for psychosomatic disorders that is the basis for the treatment of such problems. In turn, the work of a psychologist is aimed at making a person aware of the existing problem that served as the impetus for the formation of negative manifestations. As a rule, it is this part of the treatment that is the most labor-intensive and long-term, since it requires enormous efforts from the patient and a detailed analysis of his behavior, as well as personality characteristics.

In some cases, it is possible to use additional motivational measures designed to show a person his capabilities, which he had not previously suspected, hiding behind non-existent diseases. Such means include various sporting events and entertainment programs in which a person directly participates. Only full awareness of the problem and its acceptance is the starting point for the beginning of the healing process, which will inevitably occur in the future and will enable a person to fully enjoy life.

Notes

1. “Psychosomatic patient at a doctor’s appointment” B. Luban-Plozza, W. Pöldinger, F. Kröger - St. Petersburg, 1996 256 pages
2. “Psychosomatic symptom as a cultural phenomenon” by G. A. Arin in the collection “Psychosomatics: corporeality and culture: Textbook for universities” / Ed. V. V. Nikolaeva - M.: Academic project, 2009. - 311 pages
3. Belousov Yu. V., Skumin V. A.
   Psychotherapy in pediatric gastroenterology. Tutorial. - Moscow: Central Order of Lenin Institute for Advanced Medical Studies, 1987. - 115 p. — 1000 copies.
4. "Handbook of a practical psychologist"; Malkina-Pykh I. G.; EXMO; 2008; 992 pp.; 978-5-699-06449-4