The relationship between body and soul
The debate about the body-soul relationship begins a long time ago and examines the question whether body and soul are two dimensions, separate from each other (duality) or whether there is a single principle, which includes both elements. The two different approaches have at times shaped society’s treatment of physical and mental problems. That is, how people deal with a mental difficulty, if they separate it from the body or connect it to it, and correspondingly how they take care of the physical symptoms. Is mental health well-being a significant factor in physical symptoms? The term psychosomatic presupposes the existence of two different elements, the soul (consciousness) and the body. At the same time, however, it indicates to us that there is an interactive relationship between the two.
How do we use the term psychosomatic today? The term psychosomatic problems or symptoms is used to describe a variety of physical disturbances for which there is no proven organic etiology. When those symptoms remain for a long time, the ICD-10 diagnostic tool recognizes them as ‘somatoform disorders’ and are divided into sub-groups according to their peculiarities. Characteristic of somatoform disorders is the repeated manifestation of physical symptoms, which prompt the person to undergo medical examinations, but from which no satisfactory medical explanation emerges.
“It worries me that even though I’ve had many different tests I can’t find what is causing my symptoms. I’ll only feel better when I’ve figured it out.”
- N. Student of Democritus University of Thrace, 24 years old
Physical or psychological? A coherent approach
When a physical symptom bothers us for a long time and we cannot identify the problem we start seeking for the causes. Is it my body that is in discomfort or is it my spirit, consciousness, soul that is expressing itself in this way? One way to reduce this concern is if we realize the constant exchange in which our two systems exist. When I unconsciously experience an inner conflict, it can be expressed as disturbance in my stomach or a headache. On the other hand, a frequent abdominal pain can have an impact on my mental and emotional well-being. Let’s have a look at the factors that affect this relationship:
- The way I perceive my symptoms or otherwise the relationship with myself:
An important factor influencing the relationship of my physical discomfort to my consciousness is the way I accept my symptom and more broadly the way I treat myself. When I have the discomfort, do I behave compassionately and supportively towards myself, or rather push me and try to ignore the discomfort in order to accomplish what I feel is necessary? Like in a cycle, tension is then created in the symptom again, until it becomes unbearable and forces me to stop. As a result, the next time I feel the slightest discomfort it is likely to trigger a sense of anxiety and insecurity, which instead of relieving it will reactivate the cycle.
“When I get nauseous I get terrified and I panic. I’ve been through this many times and I can’t stand it when it happens.”
- E. Student of Democritus University of Thrace, 19 years old
- How my symptoms relate to my relationship with others:
Another factor that seems to be linked to psychosomatic complaints is our relationship with other people. Such disturbances are often seen in individuals who choose, perhaps not consciously, to limit their own well-being and sense of satisfaction and focus instead on the well-being of others. The thought here is probably: “I’ll be fine as long as the others are fine’. At the same time, these individuals practice themselves to abstain from their own needs and therefore to avoid expressing them to others. This situation is reinforced through the concern about the conflicts: “If I distance myself from my needs and don’t expect anything from the others, I won’t have to be in conflict with them.” People with frequent psychosomatic disturbances are likely to devote themselves to relationships and to others, while having very specific expectations of themselves. When these are not satisfied, the pressure increases and thus the intensity of the symptoms.
“Asking myself about my needs is something very strange to me. I can’t imagine what it will be like if I manage to think about it.”
- M. Student of Democritus University of Thrace, 22 years old
- How I ‘can make a good use’ of my psychosomatic symptoms:
I can alternately see the physical discomforts that overwhelm me and make me despair as signs that I’m burdened and that something needs to change. The more I ignore my burden, it can become more and more intense. The questions I could ask myself are: “Why is my body reacting like this? What does he really want to tell me? How could I reconcile these two parts of me so that I could learn to read my body? Which of my actions are associated with the increase in my symptoms and which are associated with their decrease?’ These questions aim to help me:
- Set better boundaries to myself when it comes to others. Even if that would mean more conflicts in my relationships. By resolving my inner conflict I will be able to have more satisfying relationships with the others as well.
- Learn to recognize my needs and express them.
- Give myself the space and time I need for what I want to accomplish, so that I can manage everything under different conditions, breath and feel comfortable with the environment.
- Accept and love me, especially after a failure.