‘Psychosomatic’refers to physical symptoms that arise as a direct result of thoughts, emotions, mental states and psychological factors.
Psychosomatic symptoms are a key element of Mind-Body medicine. Mind-body medicine is not the same as ‘alternative’ or ‘holistic’ therapies. It is the measurable and scientifically examined connection between the mind (thoughts and emotions) and subsequent physiological changes within the body.
Traditionally, psychosomatic indicators of stress would have included back pain and stress related hair loss or skin problems, increased incidence of cold and flu.
StressManagement.co.uk is approaching stress and its symptoms from the latest findings from the field of mind-body medicine with the additional understandings of ancient wisdoms and teachings from cultures that have known for thousands of years that the mind is the root cause of bodily changes and sensations.
It is understood that in the fast changing and stressful lives the majority of individuals lead, there is an over-activation of the Fight, Freeze and Flight response. It is this, that is hypothesised to be causing the increased prevalence of mental disorders such as; anxiety and depression,
but also physical conditions including hypertension (high blood pressure), heart disease and diabetes.
With this understanding in mind, it is arguable that all physical disorders and symptoms of stress are as a direct result of thoughts and emotions. Subsequently, presuming a separation between mind and body is false, treating symptoms without any adjustment or awareness to the root cause (the mind) is, in the long term not going to address the problem or diminish its effects.
It is for this scientific reasoning and understanding that treatments such as mindfulness meditation which work to bring awareness to thoughts and emotions have been found to be so effective in the treatment of psychological disorders such as anxiety, panic attacks, depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Additionally, it has been found to be an effective treatment of physical ailments that have not previously been attributed to mind state including diabetes, high blood pressure, burnout and sexual dysfunction.