Typically, when a person has a headache or stomach ache, the causes of such ailments are sought in some pathologies concerning these organs. However, it is not always the case that it is actually possible to identify the organic basis of the ailments experienced by the patient - sometimes the problem is in the head and then it can be said that the patient is struggling with some psychosomatic disorders.
For centuries, people dealing with aspects of human he alth have emphasized that the human mind and body are closely interconnected and that one influences the activity of the other and vice versa. Both Hippocrates and Freud mentioned it - the latter stated that various unconscious feelings can be transformed into various symptoms on the part of the body. You could say that Freud was right, and as surprising as it may seem, the problem is far more common than you might imagine.
Why is there a relationship between the psyche and various somatic ailments?
Contrary to appearances, it is quite easy to explain where psychosomatic disorders come from. Well, when a person experiences a stressful experience, there are many different reactions in his body. Under the influence of strong emotions, excessive secretion of adrenal steroids may occur, as well as weakening of the immune system. The result of such and other processes can be various ailments, the causes of which cannot be determined with the use of even the most diverse, precise tests.
What may mean that the patient is struggling with psychosomatic disorders?
One can suspect psychosomatic disorders mainly in those people who are sometimes very stressed, experience constant tension for some reason and at the same time suddenly begin to struggle with some ailments that had not occurred before, such as headaches, stomachaches, nausea or dizziness. The influence of the psyche on the body is definitely surprising - hardly anyone would link the possibility of flatulence with psychiatric disorders, and at the same time such a problem may also result from experiencing whata day of increased stress.
Patients who struggle with ailments for a long time usually see doctors sooner or later and they have some tests performed to find the cause of their problems. The fact that the troublesome symptoms may have occurred precisely on a psychosomatic basis may be evidenced by the fact that the patient has performed many different tests, and at the same time the results of any of them do not indicate what could have led to their occurrence.
It is worth emphasizing here that psychosomatics should be suspected only at the end - before a diagnosis of psychosomatic disorders is made, it is necessary to exclude all other possible organic causes of the patient's problems.
Psychosomatics in children - why are psychosomatic symptoms relatively frequent in children?
The group of patients who experience psychosomatic symptoms relatively frequently are children. As for adults it is much easier to say that they are struggling with some difficult emotions, for the youngest it is definitely more difficult. Ultimately, they may struggle with various difficulties that they cannot tell adults about, and the only manifestation of which will be psychosomatic symptoms. Young patients may complain of, for example, abdominal pain or headache, which is why they have various tests performed and the results of which do not indicate any organic abnormalities.
Psychosomatics - how to deal when the problem is the head, not the body?
In a situation where the patient's symptoms are actually psychosomatic complaints, painkillers or other pharmaceuticals will not bring relief - it is necessary to solve the problems that led to their appearance. First, however, you need to find them - it often happens that it is difficult for the patient to determine himself what is responsible for his condition, therefore it is definitely advisable to use the help of specialists.
In the treatment of psychosomatic disorders, psychotherapy plays the greatest role. Thanks to it, it is possible not only to find the causes of ailments (which may turn out to be, for example, stress related to the loss of a job or difficulties in marriage), but also to find ways to deal with unconscious mental conflicts.
Psychotherapy may lead to the resolution of the patient's ailments. However, it may also happen that, apart from psychosomatic disorders, the patient will have some other mental disorders, such as e.g.anxiety or depressive disorders - in such situations it may be necessary to take advantage of not only therapeutic interventions, but also pharmacological treatment.
About the authorBow. Tomasz NęckiA graduate of medicine at the Medical University of Poznań. An admirer of the Polish sea (most willingly strolling along its shores with headphones in his ears), cats and books. In working with patients, he focuses on always listening to them and spending as much time as they need.