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In Greek,psycherefers to the mind or soul, andsomaticrefers to the body.
In essence, the term psychosomatic captures the mind-body connection.
Psychosomatic illnessinvolves experiencingphysical symptomsthat are the body’s response to stress.
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In contrast, somatopsychic illness would be the psychological symptoms due to disease, injury, or infection.
Stress
No one is immune from experiencing stress in life.
Your stomach may be upset from the impact of stress hormones.
And you may not be sleeping well, leaving you feeling fatigued and burnt out.
Psychosomatic Illness
Stress can cause a variety of symptoms, as seen above.
These symptoms are mediated through the immune system, the nervous system, and the endocrine system.
What Is Cortisol?
Cortisolis a steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal glands.
It plays an important part in the body’s stress response, the sleep-wake cycle, and metabolism.
When a person is under stress, cortisol helps prepare the body to deal with the threat.
There is also an immune response in preparation to heal damaged tissue, and digestion is put on hold.
Your body systems are being appropriately mobilized to manage the threat.
Metabolism:Cortisol directs the metabolism of sugar and fats and is a helpful anti-inflammatory under normal circumstances.
People with ongoing stress also experience more auto-immune flare-ups and slower wound healing.
All of these immune system responses place an extra burden on the immune system.
Medications may be prescribed to help treat the medical symptoms that you are experiencing.
Mindfulness-based stress reduction(MBSR) may also help reduce stress levels and improve coping skills.
Medications
Your healthcare provider or therapist may also prescribe medications such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications.
Create a stress management game plan to examine and change the stress in your life.
Psychosomatic symptoms are real.
Psychosomatic symptoms are not “all in your head” or imaginary.
They are real symptoms that require real treatments.
Unfortunately, stigma about psychosomatic illness often leads people to avoid seeking treatment.
Other medications may also be prescribed to help alleviate symptoms of muscle pain, stomach upset, and headache.
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American Psychological Association.How stress affects your health.
2022;28:100503. doi:10.1016/j.invent.2022.100503
Mental Health America of Eastern Missouri.Psychosomatic symptoms.
2017;39(4):399. doi:10.4103/ijpsym.ijpsym_17_17
