How a psychologist can help cope with psychosomatic illnesses

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

Specifically, it is about identifying and understanding the influence that exists between emotion and the body.

• Related article: "Negative thoughts in the face of discomfort: what sense do they have?"

Understanding psychosomatic illnesses

Even if it is unconscious, 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 that almost all workers suffer from today, causes poor digestion. Also, anger, which creates heartburn, or changing 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. The body and mind, in fact, should not be considered as two separate worlds, but are two parts of a whole and inevitably influence each other.

Psychosomatic disorders can affect:

• The skin: for example, atopic dermatitis, hives, acne, psoriasis, itching ...
• The musculoskeletal system: for example, myalgias, tension headaches, muscle cramps, arthritis ...
• The cardiovascular system: for example, hypertension, tachycardia, arrhythmias ...
• The gastrointestinal system: for example, ulcerative colitis, gastritis ...
• The respiratory system: for example, bronchial asthma, hyperventilation syndrome ...
• The urogenital system: for example, menstrual pain, premature ejaculation, impotence, anorgasmia ...

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

This means that we not only look for physical causes, but we also take into account those mental aspects that may have influenced, that is, the patient's lifestyle in general, the emotional world, relationships, the social and family context in which he lives.

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

The task of the psychologist in the face of these alterations

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 stress dermatitis, etc. Triggering causes can be strong external pressures, particular stresses when preparing a job interview, or never processed griefs that can be felt with symptoms for even years later.

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

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

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

• Help the patient identify the traumatic event that triggered the physical illness.
• Strengthen the patient so that it is more difficult for him to fall back into the same pathology.
• Guide the person towards coping with their traumas.

Without support, the individual cannot even achieve trauma awareness.

So do not hesitate to contact professional psychological help if you think that he can offer you a solution to deal with your psychosomatic symptoms.

Author: Adrián Pino Bonacho, Health Psychologist