I grew up with the same belief as most, that psychophysiologic [better known as psychosomatic] disorders were "all in your head." I didn't learn better until my 2nd year of nursing school, so it occurs to me that others may be similarly confused.
Psychosomatic Disorders
Psychosomatic disorders are manifestations of physical imbalance in which emotional components have a strong influence. The link between the affect and compromised health issues can be followed, in such cases, as the disease emerges, develops or repeats its pattern over time. "Psycho" or "psyche" refers to the emotional or mind related aspects and "somatic" has to do with the organic or physical symptoms and signs observed.
Recent research has revealed that inappropriate activation of the autonomous nervous apparatus, endocrine network (hormones and internal secretion glands), and the immune system (defence structures and cells) accounts for several of the known paths that link emotional overload to a condition of organic dysfunction and, in some cases, even physical damage.
Now that we have a working definition, lets see how that works in real life.
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Part I: Mind-Body Connection; The Feedback Loop
To an extent, most diseases are psychosomatic - involving both mind and body.
• There is a mental aspect to every physical disease. How we react to and cope with disease varies greatly from person to person. For example, the rash of psoriasis may not bother some people very much. However, the rash covering the same parts of the body in someone else may make them feel depressed and more ill.
• There can be physical effects from mental illness. For example, with some mental illnesses you may not eat, or take care of yourself, very well which can cause physical problems.
Physical diseases particularly thought to be made worse by, for example, depression and anxiety, may seem easy to name. Stomach ulcers, high blood pressure and heart disease appear to be obvious ones. Personally, I would add low back pain that continues after the physical cause has resolved, intrinsic asthma, and difficulty maintaining a healthy weight.
How can the mind affect physical diseases?
These physical symptoms are due to increased activity of nervous impulses sent from the brain to various parts of the body and to the release of adrenaline (epinephrine) into the bloodstream when we are anxious.
What are the treatments for psychosomatic disorders?
Each disease has its own treatment options. For physical diseases, physical treatments such as medication or operations are usually the most important. However, healthcare workers will usually try to treat a person as a whole and take into account mental and social factors which may be contributing to a disease. Therefore, treatments to ease stress, anxiety, depression, etc, may help if they are thought to be contributing to your physical disease.If I may show some professional bias here, I believe RN's, Physician Assistant's, and Nurse Practitioners may have the "Holistic Approach" built into their training, the way an MD may not. Also, I have seen Certified Nurse Aids and Personal Care Aids who just had a knack for working with "difficult" patients.
I also found it was reasonable to expect some self-education, so I could supplement whatever the doctor ordered with dietary changes, meditation or mindfulness exercises, proper body mechanics, and a level of physical exercise that could be done within the limits of symptoms.
Psychosomatic Illnesses
Non-Allergic Asthma
Cortisol and Stress
While cortisol is an important and helpful part of the body’s response to stress, it’s important that the body’s relaxation response to be activated so the body’s functions can return to normal following a stressful event. Unfortunately, in our current high-stress culture, the body’s stress response is activated so often that the body doesn’t always have a chance to return to normal, resulting in a state of chronic stress.
Nature Reviews, Neuroscience; Feedback Loops
Pain can have a negative effect on emotions and on cognitive function. Conversely, a negative emotional state can lead to increased pain, whereas a positive state can reduce pain. Similarly, cognitive states such as attention and memory can either increase or decrease pain. Of course, emotions and cognition can also reciprocally interact. The minus sign refers to a negative effect and the plus sign refers to a positive effect.
Not only are psychosomatic illnesses real, they are costly. I know I'm preaching to the choir, here, but
single-payer healthcare and
outcomes based healthcare are the commen sense approaches to breaking the cycle. But for now, we turn to each other.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that nearly one-third of U.S. women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. Domestic violence is associated with an array of health problems. In the short-term, physical violence can result in serious injuries or even death. At least one-third of all female homicide victims in the U.S. are killed by male intimate partners. But studies have found that domestic violence has long-term health consequences as well.
HuffPost:Joe Biden: Domestic Violence Is A 'Public Health Epidemic'
Part II
The Brain-Gut Connection
Have you ever had a “gut-wrenching” experience? Do certain situations make you “feel nauseous”? Have you ever felt “butterflies” in your stomach? We use these expressions for a reason. The gastrointestinal tract is sensitive to emotion. Anger, anxiety, sadness, elation — all of these feelings (and others) can trigger symptoms in the gut.
In addition, research suggests that some people with functional GI disorders perceive pain more acutely than other people do because their brains do not properly regulate pain signals from the GI tract. Stress can make the existing pain seem even worse.
The symptoms are both physical and emotional.
Physical symptoms
• Stiff or tense muscles, especially in the neck and shoulders
• Headaches
• Sleep problems
• Shakiness or tremors
• Recent loss of interest in sex
• Weight loss or gain
• Restlessness
Behavioral symptoms
• Procrastination
• Grinding teeth
• Difficulty completing work assignments
• Changes in the amount of alcohol or food you consume
• Taking up smoking, or smoking more than usual
• Increased desire to be with or withdraw from others
• Rumination (frequent talking or brooding about stressful situations)
Emotional symptoms
• Crying
• Overwhelming sense of tension or pressure
• Trouble relaxing
• Nervousness
• Quick temper
• Depression
• Poor concentration
• Trouble remembering things
• Loss of sense of humor
• Indecisiveness
Harvard Medicine: The brain gut connection
When your digestive system is running smoothly, you tend not to think about it. Once trouble begins, your gut — like a squeaky wheel — suddenly demands your attention. This Special Health Report covers the major sources of gastrointestinal distress: irritable bowel syndrome, gastric reflux, upset stomach, constipation, diarrhea, and excess gas. It also includes a special Bonus Section describing how emotional stress and anxiety can cause gastrointestinal distress.
Harvard medicine: The Sensitive Gut
The bottom line to me is, we can't afford to turn our bodies over to the current healthcare system, and trust. The current system treats symptoms and diagnoses, not people. Find, or start, a support group. Take the time to learn techniques such as biofeedback and mindfullness. Find out what exercise and diet changes can help your condition. Take control of your own health, with judicious assist from the healthcare system we have. And never be afraid to seek support. It is a sign of strength, not weakness.