Psychosomatic And Socio-Somatic Illness Research Paper

How is Psycho- and Socio-somatic illness possible? Although Carl Jung (1951-1961) suggests speculation about how the mind and the body are connected is a waste of time, and 50 years ago it would have seemed so, this is no longer the case. In beginning to answer this question we must first draw on the studies of Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI), an area of research that has found scientific evidence of a link between psychological processes and physiological processes. However, at this point it is necessary to clearly define the terms of the question; psychosomatic will refer to the connection between the mind (psycho) and the body (somatic). Whilst socio-somatic, more complex in its detail, will relate to the impact culture and society have on the

In turn drawing on research to evidence how this social unconscious impacts the individual on a somatic level. To further explore how these illnesses are possible, a closer look at Janet will be necessary, in an attempt to bring clarity to the notion of individuals expressing emotional distress in the form of somatic representations, as suggested by Amaro & Roberto (2001). Specifically his work surrounding: trauma, hysteria and dissociation. In addition, the problem of understanding socio-somatic and psychosomatic illness will also be explored collectively, as the existence of such illness is a direct result of the sum of the parts working together (unconscious, conscious mind, body). An example of this is the seemingly inexplicable healing powers of Shamans. The overwhelming success within these practices and traditions will help give some clarity to the many factors that contribute to the causation of the area of illness in question. However, we will first draw on some of the conclusions derived from the relatively recent field of medicine;

However, this link was considered far earlier by Janet, as mentioned above he proposed such a notion nearly a century ago. The studies of PNI focused on negative emotions, and the impact they have on increasing various health risks, such as: stroke and asthma to name a few, and in the worst cases death (Janice K., Kiecolt-Glaser, McGuire, Robles, and Glaser, 2002). Again in line with an assertion made by Janet, this research has given clarity to how the immune system can be directly triggered by anything perceived and experienced as traumatic by an individual (Hamerman 1999). In other words, physical illness can quite often be the result of mental hardships, indicating that correlation equal causation. Although, whilst PNI addresses the question at hand from a biological standpoint, providing some clarity in understanding the complexities of these illnesses; Ergo their causes- hence it would be neglectful not to give it mention in this paper- it still fails to account for many of the various types of illness that are beyond doubt a result of the sociological and psychological factors in ones life, both conscious and unconscious. This will be best explored by addressing the notion from Weinberg (2007) that society within a culture is a form of, or representation of the