Psychosomatic diseases

Psychosomatic diseases are violations of the functions of internal systems and organs. Education and development of them, mainly due to neuro-psychological factors, specific features in the emotional response of the individual, the experience of chronic or acute psychological trauma.

The basis for the formation of these ailments is a special mechanism. The psychological defense of the organism is manifested by the so-called "displacement". This state, when a person tries not to think about difficulties and troubles, pushes the problems aside without analyzing them. Thus, they move from the level at which they were formed (social or psychological) to the physical level.

Psychosomatic diseases in general form have the following mechanism of development: the stress factor provokes an affective tension that activates the nervous vegetative and neuroendocrine systems with subsequent changes in internal organs and the vascular system. Initially, the consequences are functional. However, with frequent and prolonged repetition, they become organic, irreversible.

Psychosomatic diseases and disorders underlying them are divided into three groups.

The first include organic pathologies (bronchial asthma, ulcer and hypertension, and others). In their development, the leading role belongs to psychogenic components.

The next group includes autonomic neuroses and functional disorders.

And, finally, psychosomatic diseases, caused by the peculiarities of emotional personal behavior and response. They include alcoholism, a propensity to traumatism and others.

The modern medicine distinguishes the following psychosomatic diseases:

- essential hypertension ;

- bronchial asthma;

- pathology of the gastrointestinal tract;

- rheumatoid arthritis;

- ulcerative colitis;

- infarction;

- Neurodermatitis;

- sexual disorders;

- diabetes;

- Oncological diseases ;

- Goiter.

Of course, not always pathologies develop on an emotional background. Organic lesions, accompanied by objective changes in tissues and organs, presuppose a medicamentous effect. However, in the presence of emotional provoking factors, it should be carried out in conjunction with psychotherapeutic measures.

Psychosomatic diseases and their treatment require an integrated approach. In this case, each case has its own individual characteristics.

Today, treatment of patients in this category is reduced, mainly, to a combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. It is also advisable to conduct physiotherapy. Balneotherapy and sanatorium treatment are also used as additional measures of influence. In some cases, the means of traditional medicine can be very effective.

The effects of medications are directed mainly at the peripheral and central parts of the nervous system, as well as on personal psychological reactions.

The choice of psychotropic medications is determined, first of all, by the severity of the manifestations. When revealing the state of incompleteness of disorders, their episodic manifestation and instability, as a rule, the appointment of tranquilizers is sufficient. Along with this, the drugs considered traditionally as somatotropic, but possessing also insignificantly expressed psychotropic influence (preparations from group of beta-blockers, having normotimic properties, Verapamil, Nifedipine) can be used.

When psychologically complete conditions are identified, the choice of psychotropic medicines is determined taking into account the structure of the syndrome.