How a psychologist can help to cope with psychosomatic illnesses

Let's look at how psychotherapy helps to cope with psychosomatic illnesses.

Psychosomatic illnesses are, in essence, those that fall into that branch of medicine and psychology that studies the relationship between the mind and the body..

Specifically, it is a question of identifying and understanding the influence that exists between the emotion and the body.

Understanding psychosomatic illnesses

Even if it is unconsciously, we are all subject to physical disorders that can have their origin in the emotional and affective world..

Some examples? Stress, one of the diseases of the mind from which almost all workers suffer today, causes poor digestion. Also, anger, which creates heartburn, or the change of certain habits, which generates headaches.

Many examples can be given, but it is scientifically proven that there is a correlation between emotions, affections and different types of disorders. there is a correlation between emotions, affections and the different types of disorders.. The body and the mind, in fact, should not be considered as two separate worlds, but as two parts of a whole that inevitably influence each other.

Psychosomatic disorders can affect:

• The skin: for example, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, acne, psoriasis, pruritus....
• The musculoskeletal system: e.g. myalgia, tension headaches, Muscle cramps, arthritis...
• Cardiovascular system: e.g. hypertension, tachycardia, arrhythmias...
• Gastrointestinal system: e.g. ulcerative colitis, gastritis...
• Respiratory system: e.g. bronchial asthma, hyperventilation syndrome...
• The urogenital system: e.g. menstrual pain, premature ejaculation, impotence, anorgasmia...

Fortunately, nowadays medicine has broadened its scope and when an organic pathology is studied, all the factors that contribute to its determination are analyzed. that contribute to its determination.

This means that we not only look for the physical causes, but we also take into account the mental aspects that contribute to its determination. we also take into account those mental aspects that may have had an influence, i.e., lifestyle.The patient's lifestyle in general, the emotional world, relationships, the social and family context in which he or she lives.

This is a "multifactorial approach" that helps to better define a disease and, consequently, to establish recovery therapies with greater precision.

The psychologist's task in the face of these disorders

Some experts often use the expression "the body that speaks" to define psychosomatic illnesses. In this case, physical ailments are nothing more than alternative forms of the body to express the discomfort of the mind..

It is the inner discomfort that comes out through physical suffering, which can be precisely problems of the digestive system, but also dermatitis due to stress, etc. Triggering causes can be strong external pressures, particular tensions when preparing for a job interview, or never processed duels that can be felt with symptoms even years later.

Each symptom must be taken seriously.and this is where the psychologist comes in. His task in the case of psychosomatic illnesses is to help the person connect the symptoms with the ills of the mind, finding an alternative way to express the negative emotions.

The psychologist, through his sessions, must accompany the patient towards different outbreaks of tension, anxiety, stress, thus preventing the body from reacting badly.

The psychologist's approach consists mainly of playing three roles in one:

• To help the patient identify the traumatic event that triggered the physical illness.
• To strengthen the patient so that it is more difficult for him/her to fall back into the same pathology.
• To guide the person in coping with his or her traumas.

Without support, the individual cannot even reach the awareness of having suffered traumas.

So do not hesitate to do not hesitate to contact professional psychological help if you think it can offer you a solution. if you think they can offer you a solution to cope with your psychosomatic symptoms.

Author: Adrián Pino Bonacho, Health Psychologist