Breaking the Cycle: Understanding Psychosomatic Illness
Understanding the mind-body connection in psychosomatic illness and how to break the cycle through various interventions.
00:00:00 Understanding the connection between the mind and body in psychosomatic illness, and why Western medicine often fails in treating it.
Psychosomatic illness is often misunderstood as being done for attention, but the truth is more complex.
Western medicine is not well-equipped to treat psychosomatic illness due to the separation of the mind from the body.
Psychosomatic illness has both psychological and physical components, and understanding the connection is crucial in effective treatment.
00:14:07 This video explores the concept of psychosomatic illness, explaining how external problems do not always have external solutions. It discusses the link between traumatic experiences, the nervous system, and conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Psychosomatic illness is influenced by externalizing problems and a lack of internal solutions.
Social support plays a crucial role in managing psychosomatic illness.
IBS is characterized by irregular bowel movements and is linked to trauma and increased adrenaline levels.
00:28:15 Understanding the connection between psychosomatic illness and physical symptoms like IBS and POTS, caused by hyperactive adrenaline, hypersensitivity to visceral sensory input, and blood pressure regulation issues.
Psychosomatic illness is not a psychological cry for attention or a sign of mental weakness.
People with IBS experience genuine bad outcomes and have a hypersensitivity to visceral sensory input.
IBS is a complex system problem involving adrenaline, behavioral amplification, social isolation, changes in the immune system, and a brain-gut connection.
00:42:22 Understanding the connection between psychosomatic illness and dysregulation of the sympathetic nervous system, as evidenced by symptoms like nausea, fatigue, and sleep disturbance. Treatment involves addressing the paradoxical vasoconstriction and abnormal sensory processing.
š§ Psychosomatic illnesses, such as POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), are often misunderstood and misdiagnosed.
š POTS is not solely a cardiovascular problem, but rather a result of dysregulation of the sympathetic nervous system, which is also responsible for other conditions like IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).
š” Increasing CO2 levels, such as through meditation, can help dilate blood vessels and improve blood flow, offering a potential treatment for POTS.
00:56:31 Understanding psychosomatic illness: Fibromyalgia involves abnormal nervous input and low-level inflammation. Gut brain interventions may be helpful. Western medicine's linear approach may not address the complexity of psychosomatic illness.
Psychosomatic illness, like fibromyalgia, involves a combination of peripheral and central factors leading to widespread pain.
Low-level inflammation contributes to the hypersensitivity of pain receptors in fibromyalgia.
Gut microbiome and allergic load are some factors that can contribute to whole-body inflammation and mood disorders.
01:10:39 Understanding Psychosomatic Illness and how to break the cycle through CBT, psychotherapy, yoga, and dietary changes.
Psychosomatic illness is the result of the mind using physiological illness as a tool to remove stress and overwhelm.
Trauma can lead to a cycle of stress, hypersensitivity, and inflammation in the body.
Psychosomatic illness can be addressed through psychotherapy, reprogramming the nervous system with mind-body practices like yoga and Tai Chi, and adopting a low inflammation diet.
01:24:49 Understanding the mind-body connection and psychosomatic illness. Ayurvedic diet, mind-body practices, exercise, and psychotherapy can help improve symptoms.
Ayurvedic treatment focuses on dietary changes and the use of certain herbs, like ashwagandha, to promote brain health and neuroplasticity.
Ayurvedic medicine is based on a system-focused approach, while Western medicine follows a linear idiopathogenic model.
To address psychosomatic illness, it is necessary to understand the relationship between the mind and body, improve alexithymia, and leverage mind-body practices.
Want to deep dive into this video?
