Psychosomatic Disturbances Research Articles

On psychosomatic phenomena

The paper discusses the thought model where psychosomatic disturbances are presumed to emerge through the acting subject’s diverse goals and their sub-goals. People are born with the skills required for their life effort. This works in normal situations related to the environment and the self, but calls for changes in anomalous circumstances. People then have at their disposal a plasticity in their competence, that is, they learn and fumble for new goals and functions. Plasticity is a help in the subject’s life effort, but it often leads to harmful changes, too, in the functions and structures of the subject’s psychophysical system, in other words, to psychosomatic symptoms. When people experience that their competence is inadequate and find it laborious to learn new goals and functions, they may resort to psychosomatic symptoms and sadomasochism and fix them into permanent forms of acting. Psychoanalysis can help people free themselves from these forms of activity by helping them to make them conscious and through that, turn them into the possibility of choosing other alternatives.

Relevance of Physical Activity in the Treatment and Prevention of Mild and Severe Mental Health Problems

Mental illness whether mild or severe is a serious psychological health related problem which must be given great attention in our society today. That the accumulation of some of these psychosomatic disturbances such as stress, anxiety, depression, phobia, emotional problems and mild mental illness must have resulted to these mental health. In order to reduce, prevent and treat these mental disorders physical activity is a necessary antidote. Therefore, successful participation in exercise programmes can lead to improvement in mood and ability to deal with these emotional deviations. Emotional bottled up can cause aggravated mental ill-health. Regular exercises particularly on recreational basis can take care of all these steps towards the achievement of a good mental health.

Indices of endothelial function and their relationships with psychoemotional factors in practically healthy people

We studied gender-related traits of indices of endothelial function and their relationships with psychoemotional factors in practically healthy subjects. The study included 107 practically healthy people of working ages from an organized population (46 men and 61 women); the average age was 43.4. ± 10.8 years. All subjects participated in a psychological questionnaire, which included the Spielberg-Khanin test, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, a modified variant of the Dembo-Rubinstein test, the level of social frustration, and the social readjustment rating scale (Holms and Rahe test). Venous blood was collected to study the indices of endothelial function. In the study, we found a significant correlation between factors of endothelial origins and the level of social frustration, depression, and self-evaluation of stress according to the Dembo-Rubinstein test in practically healthy men. In practically healthy women with normal arterial pressure, trait anxiety positively correlated with markers of endothelial function. According to the data of stepwise regression, the contribution of depression to the level of nitrites in women with normal pressures was 25%. The characters of stress-related changes and concomitant biochemical, hormonal, and morphofunctional changes are substantial for analysis of the mechanisms of the influence of stress on the development and time course of somatic diseases and the development of the psychosomatic approach to the prophylactics of psychosomatic disturbances.

Arteterapia como acompañamiento para la construcción y empoderamiento de la subjetividad femenina

Studies dedicated to female subjectivity show that women are susceptible to suffer psychosomatic disturbances and states of disease, as a result of a "standard" mode of socialization (values, beliefs, assumptions...) which prevents the construction of own desires and an inhibition of the self, giving rise to "subordinate States of subjectivity". This article will expose, on the one hand, the application of art as a therapy for the treatment of women suffering from fibromyalgia syndrome. On the other hand, it will invite the reader to reflect on the relationship between traumatic chronology in the family saga of the subject, the incorporation of dominant values on women and the psychic discomfort through creative expression. Through the illustrative material of the artistic production of a case study, it will show art from the multifunctionality that can be characterized, being some of them: the possibility of art as an accompaniment for the creation and transformation of emotional conflicts and the building and empowerment of female subjectivity. This study is part of a doctoral process with international mention, currently funded by the Consortium for researchers in the European Union, the EDEN project. The participating universities are: Granada, Madrid, London, and Israel.

Insufficient Coping Behavior under Chronic Stress and Vulnerability to Psychiatric Disorders

Background: Epidemiological data indicate that 75% of subjects with major psychiatric disorders have their onset of illness in the age range of 17-24 years. An estimated 35-50% of college and university students drop out prematurely due to insufficient coping skills under chronic stress, while 85% of students receiving a psychiatric diagnosis withdraw from college/university prior to the completion of their education. In this study, we aimed at developing standardized means of identifying students with insufficient coping skills under chronic stress and at risk for mental health problems. Sampling and Methods: A sample of 1,217 college students from 3 different sites in the USA and Switzerland completed 2 self-report questionnaires: the Coping Strategies Inventory (COPE) and the Zurich Health Questionnaire (ZHQ), which assesses ‘regular exercises', ‘consumption behavior', ‘impaired physical health', ‘psychosomatic disturbances' and ‘impaired mental health'. The data were subjected to structure analyses by means of a neural network approach. We found 2 highly stable and reproducible COPE scales that explained the observed interindividual variation in coping behavior sufficiently well and in a socioculturally independent way. The scales reflected basic coping behavior in terms of ‘activity-passivity' and ‘defeatism-resilience', and in the sense of stable, socioculturally independent personality traits. Results: Correlation analyses carried out for external validation revealed a close relationship between high scores on the defeatism scale and impaired physical and mental health. This underlined the role of insufficient coping behavior as a risk factor for physical and mental health problems. Conclusion: The combined COPE and ZHQ instruments appear to constitute powerful screening tools for insufficient coping skills under chronic stress and for risks of mental health problems.

AB0827-HPR Alexithymia phenomenon in systemic sclerosis patients

ObjectivesOur aim was to study the phenomenon of alexithymia – a special mental quality of psychosomatic personality in systemic sclerosis patients.MethodsWe observed 54 patients suffering from systemic sclerosis (SS) using...

715 – Medication and psychosomatic

Psychosomatic medication is one of the branches of medicate sciences which depend on mental and physicals cohesiveness and uniqueness, studies disease and therapies. Psychosomatic diseases are physical diseases that mental factors are effective on their beginning and increasing. It doesn't give this concept that only mental factors are intervene in producing these disturbances, but also other factors are involved. However, mental factors act as speeding factors or catalyzers. Mental disturbances had not been making suddenly, first they appear like signs such as vomiting, heartbeat, blood pressure and mental shocks and stresses influence on individual and their collective influence gradually and cause appearance of psychosomatic diseases. Many people suffered from this disease, must follow a balanced, healthy life-style or change or balance their non-adaptable personality traits and behavior models by professional therapists with use of psychotherapy, group therapy and family therapy. Thus, people suffered psychosomatic diseases experience more meaning full, important mental stresses rather than healthy and normal people. One of the controlling ways of this disease is the correct reaction of individual toward stresses and changing external factors or life environment in therapy of psychosomatic disturbances, use drug-therapy such as tranquilizers and anti-depressions. One of the other therapy methods is “focus on case “of “Carl rogers” that cures the patient indirectly. This method depends on decrease the amount of defensive reactions of patient and reinforces its insight.

Homeopathic treatment and psychological support to women with psychosomatic disturbances

Homeopathic treatment and psychological support to women with psychosomatic disturbances

Type A behaviour: a reappraisal of its characteristics in cardiovascular disease

The role of type A behaviour in cardiovascular disease is controversial and most of the research is based on self-rating scales. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of type A behaviour in cardiology and in other medical settings using reliable interview methods that reflect its original description. A sample of 1398 consecutive medical patients (198 with heart transplantation, 153 with a myocardial infarction, 190 with functional gastrointestinal disorders, 104 with cancer, 545 with skin disorders and 208 referred for psychiatric consultation) was administered the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-IV and the Structured Interview for the Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research (DCPR) which identifies 12 clusters, including type A behaviour. A cardiac condition was present in 366 patients. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of type A behaviour in cardiovascular disease (36.1%) compared with other medical disorders (10.8%). Type A behaviour frequently occurred together with psychiatric and psychosomatic disturbances, particularly irritable mood, even though in the majority of cases it was not associated with DSM-IV diagnoses. Among cardiac patients, those with type A behaviour were less depressed, demoralised and worried about their illness. Type A behaviour was found to occur in about a third of cases of patients with cardiovascular disease. Only in a limited number of cases was it associated with depression. It has a lifestyle connotation that may have important clinical consequences as to stress vulnerability and illness behaviour.

Mental health conditions, individual and job characteristics and sleep disturbances among firefighters

This study aimed to assess the associations between mental health conditions, individual and job characteristics and sleep disturbances among firefighters. Of 303 participants, 51.2% reported sleep disturbances. Psychological distress and psychosomatic disturbances were significantly associated with sleep disturbances. Suicidal ideation, unhealthy alcohol use and time as a firefighter were also associated with sleep disturbances but at a borderline level of significance (0.05 < p < .085). These findings may be related to the psychological and physical hazards of firefighting and indicate the importance of research on associated professions.

The significance of the evaluation of pupils’ physical development by somatic bio phenotyping

Nutrition status and social economic conditions are determining factors for the psychosomatic disturbances inside pupils communities. The evaluation of the physical development by somatometric methods imposed by the Heath Ministry order no. 141/2000, stands for the physicians' interest and care for the ontogenesis of vulnerable population groups. The authors examined 7444 pupils and processed two variables by means of statistic and mathematic methods: body mass (weight) and height. There is a high percentage of non harmonic evolution among all the level of education before university. Those observations draw the attention to the necessity to evaluate periodically the pupils in order to acknowledge their health status in the contemporary social and economic conditions.

Non-pharmacological approaches in migraine prophylaxis: behavioral medicine

Although behavioral approaches cannot be seen as offering a panacea for all emotional ills, the assumption upon which they are based make their integration with physiological concepts a natural and comfortable union. The application of behavioral treatments for psychosomatic disturbances has been developed in the last 30 years favouring the organization of clinical protocols of treatment more standardized and scientifically proved in particular in headache field where the behavioral approach is actually an important therapeutical support for traditional pharmacological approaches. The different therapeutical approaches, initial outcomes are discussed.

Zwischen Erinnerung und Gegenwart: Die seelische Gesundheit ehemaliger Kriegskinder

Objectives: This paper focuses on the relationship between childhood experiences in war time Germany and mental well-being in adulthood. Methods: Analysis of data from the Mannheim Cohort Study is done on a sample of 50 elderly people born between 1935 and 1945. Overall development and World War II experiences in particular are correlated with later psychosomatic disturbances recorded over a period of 25 years. Results: Individuals suffering from psychosocially influenced disorders were exposed to a significantly higher level of psychosocial stress during childhood than mentally healthy participants. Psychosomatic illness in adult life is, however, not related to the number of war experiences. The absence of one's father during childhood due to the war is not a predictor of longterm psychosomatic impairment. Conclusions: The results are discussed against the background of most participants coping with life's challenges and preserving their mental health for decades despite painful experiences and various hardships as a result of wartime experiences.

P01-10 Behavioral and emotional problems of children with ADHD

ADHD as long term disease is diagnosed in first years of life. Ill children need complex psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy and effects sometimes are minor. The aim of the study was to estimate possible emotional disturbances, control of emotions, impulsivity, behavioral problems or psychosomatic disturbances in children with ADHD.40 mothers of children fulfilled the questionnaire of Achenbach and questionnaire of authors' concept. Children aged 6-18 yrs of age were estimated by mothers. The results show the most often problems underlined were low control of emotions 50%, impulsivity 25%, aggressiveness - 10%. Parents also show tendency of appearance of psychosomatic problems as headaches, sleep disturbances, eating disturbances. They connected these problems to school adaptations problems.There was correlation between level of intelligence (IQ) and frequency of appearance of sleep disturbances. The lower level of IQ the sleep disturbances reveal more often.In conclusion: Children with ADHD need also complex care, also psychotherapy and there is a need of psychological counseling for the families.

Psychosomatic disturbances and cosmetic surgery

Medical activity in recent years has experienced a marked expansion of possibilities for aesthetic surgery, usually requested by patients. Especially in dermatology, an increasing demand for and use of doctor/medical services by healthy individuals has resulted in a drastic change to cosmetic dermatology. The request for cosmetic surgery is emotionally or psychosocially motivated. Patients with psychological disturbances sometimes push aside possible risks and complications or deny side effects and interactions of the procedures. Subjective impairments of appearance, feelings of inferiority and social pho-bias may be in the background of somatizing disorders. These emotional disorders, such as body dysmorphic disorder, personality disorder or polysurgical addiction, often remain undiscovered but should be excluded in any patient receiving cosmetic procedures.

Morningness–Eveningness and Satisfaction with Life

Individual differences in diurnal preferences and circadian rhythms are viewed as an interesting dimension of human personality. Previous research has examined various psychological correlates of diurnal preference. Evening types reported psychological and psychosomatic disturbances more frequently and intensively than morning types and morning types have a healthier lifestyle than evening types. Depression was also related to eveningness as were bulimic behaviour and seasonal affected disorders (SAD). Given these studies, one would expect a positive relationship between satisfaction with life or happiness (general well-being; Diener et al. (J Pers Assess 49:71–75, 1985)) and morningness. There was a significant positive correlation between morningness and satisfaction with life (r = 0.177; p = 0.023; N = 164).

Avaliação da ocorrência de transtornos mentais comuns em usuários do Programa de Saúde da Família

OBJETIVO: Avaliar as características dos transtornos mentais comuns em usuários do Programa de Saúde da Família (PSF), visando a identificar a necessidade de atendimento em saúde mental. MÉTODO: Foram entrevistadas 400 pessoas indicadas por duas equipes do PSF, residentes de um bairro de baixo nível socioeconômico de uma cidade do interior de Minas Gerais. Entrevistadores previamente treinados aplicaram o Questionário de Saúde Mental (QSG), que avalia as características de transtornos mentais comuns não-psicóticos. RESULTADOS: Obteve-se um índice global elevado (37,8%) de pessoas com perfil sintomático indicativo de transtornos mentais comuns, destacando-se os sintomas referentes às Subescalas de Distúrbios do Sono (41%) e Desejo de Morte (38,25%) e menores índices nas Subescalas de Desconfiança do Próprio Desempenho (27,75%), Distúrbios Psicossomáticos (25,5%) e Estresse Psíquico (22%). Houve taxa significativamente mais elevada no escore global para os homens, com 45,1% apresentando perfil sintomático, comparativamente a 32,6% das mulheres. Porém, as mulheres apresentaram porcentagens mais elevadas de perfil sintomático na subescala que se refere ao desejo de morte, 44,1% contra 29,9% dos homens. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados descrevem problemas importantes no estado de saúde mental, diferenciados por sexo, em usuários do PSF.

Prevalência de transtornos mentais menores em estudantes universitários

O presente estudo é parte da pesquisa de doutorado que teve por objetivo estimar a prevalência de Transtornos Mentais Menores (TMM) na população de estudantes universitários dos cursos de Ciência da Computação, Direito, Letras e Enfermagem, da Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul e do curso de Enfermagem da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, como também verificar a associação de algumas variáveis sociais e acadêmicas com os TMM. O estudo incluiu todos os estudantes dos referidos cursos, matriculados no primeiro semestre de 2002, e foi do tipo corte transversal. A pesquisa contou com uma amostra de 558 sujeitos, sendo 396 (71%) do sexo feminino e 161 (29%) do sexo masculino. Para coleta dos dados utilizaram-se dois questionários auto-aplicáveis: QSG-60 e QDSD. Constatou-se uma prevalência de 25% de TMM entre os estudantes, destacando-se, como transtorno principal, os distúrbios psicossomáticos.

L'insaisissable fibromyalgie

Fibromyalgia is a complex disease, in many ways, mysterious in origin, a supposed descendant of neurasthenia; its astonishing frequency and the absence of element of identification are a paradox. Invisible by nature, and incurable, it is still unexplained just like any other chronic pain syndrome, which is similar to chronic fatigue syndrome. A review of the literature confirms that fibromyalgia is a broad and undefined area, that it is controversial, relatively “mythified” by ordinary people. The definition of this disease is still incomplete and does not include all of those suffering from it with an « illness » component. The terminologies are not fixed neigther is the pathogenic hypothesis, particulary a neuro-psycho-endocrinien causalism which is being studied. As it is not recognized as a psychogenic affection, it is denied by the psychiatrist in spite of its proximity to psycho-somatic disturbances. An increase in this disease, qualified as « news », especially in the industrialized countries, is confronted with medical research and contemporary medicine, heavily based on ontology, contrary to the activism of defense groups and the media. The current debate gets lost in technology limited to an ontological standardization or in rupture with a search for the sense or the meaning of the illness. The financial recognition of this serious illness is not taken into account in France because of the indefine nature of the condition. Fibromyalgia stays in the lot of multiform disorders, subjective, in the margin of biomedical standards, or official classifications; this disorder could represent a form of a defense mecanism as was hysteria at the beginning of the century. It strikes the pauper, confonted with modern violence, even post-modern, since from this point of view, modernity has not limits...

AVALIAÇÃO DO BEM-ESTAR PSICOLÓGICO EM MULHERES COM HIPERTENSÃO

Estudo descritivo, que objetivou conhecer o estado de bem-estar psicológico em mulheres hipertensas, mediante aplicação do General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) ou Questionário de Bem-Estar Psicológico de Goldberg, em 41 pacientes em tratamento para hipertensão no Instituto do Coração da FMUSP. Os resultados mostraram que as áreas relacionadas ao construto bem-estar psicológico que mais apresentaram distúrbio foram: alteração do sono, estresse psíquico e distúrbio psicossomático. Conclui-se que as áreas com distúrbio sinalizam sofrimento psíquico e dificuldade de enfrentamento na clientela estudada, condições essas possíveis de serem trabalhadas pelo enfermeiro.