Sometimes we know that something is wrong with our health and all the assurance in the world from doctors that we are ok simply doesn’t wash. Frequently there is no time for a doctor to get to know who their patient is and what makes them tick and certain physical symptoms and illnesses can be perplexing to both patient and the doctor. Counselling and psychotherapy for unexplained illness and psychosomatic symptoms looks at the whole person and how emotional or psychological distress may be creating illness. The impact that for example abuse, bullying, secrets, bereavement, accidents, life-threatening illness, shock, divorce or redundancy can have on a person can be huge and far-reaching. The possibility of them creating physical symptoms when left unadressed is significant.
Psychosomatic illness is often attributed to stress – helping to make the practice of stress management as popular as it is today. It is often perceived that if you manage stress you can avoid psychosomatic illness. However, although managing stress may indeed provide strategies, it is not necessarily the complete answer to a potentially more complex issue.
The term ‘psychosomatic’ has been used to deride people and conditions that are completely genuine but frequently misunderstood. If you believe as I do that psyche (the soul, self and mind) and soma (the body) are entirely interconnected then it is impossible for something to happen to us on a mind, heart or soul level without it affecting our body – and vice versa. To dismiss a symptom as being ‘merely’ psychosomatic is insulting as it implies that we do not embody our experiences. We do. For a return to wellness, the whole person has to be acknowledged, understood and appreciated.
Some people prefer to talk to a therapist about unexplained illness if they feel that the root may have an emotional and/or psychological basis as nothing will appear on medical records and therefore privacy and confidentiality are assured.
If you would like to make an appointment or would like further information about counselling or psychotherapy for unexplained illness or psychosomatic symptoms, then please phone me on 0777 557 0208 or email me.
Amanda Falkson. Psychotherapycity.
Humanistic Psychotherapist & Counsellor in Central London.
© Amanda Falkson 2005
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