PNI highlights why we benefit from respecting that we have a psychosomatic body.
An emotionally induced illness is physiologically connected to our health and overall well-being.
It is commonly accepted that negative thought patterns contribute to a range of illnesses and diseases from the common cold to the production of cancer cells.
An emotionally induced illness can no longer be termed imaginary; it is proven that emotions are physiologically connected to health.
Repetitive negative thinking physically affects the body by systematically causing the body to be in a state of fight or flight.
Adrenaline
At times of acute stress, the body enters into the fight or flight mode and adrenaline is released from the adrenal glands, negatively affecting the body; the focus has shifted away from our immune and digestive systems, producing a weakened immune system, digestive problems, while overworking the heart.
Psychosomatic Disorder
The term psychosomatic disorder is mainly used to indicate that physical symptoms are thought to be caused, or made worse, by mental factors.
Sometimes the term 'psychosomatic disorder' is used when mental factors cause physical symptoms that can not be diagnosed; where there is no diagnostic physical illness. For example, chest pain may be caused by stress and no physical cause can be found.
A psychosomatic illness used to be deemed imaginary 'in the mind' and emotional conflict was often disregarded. However, healthcare workers now aim to provide a holistic approach to health and treat the person as a whole, by giving due consideration to mental and social factors that may be contributing to any form of emotional, physical illness.
Treatments to ease stress anxiety and depression can be used to counteract the emotional counterpart of physical illness.
Of course, this does not mean that medication or operations are less important.
It is combined health care which enables us to be emotionally/physically supported.