The Power of the Human Mind: Reflections on Psychosomatics, the Placebo, and the Concept of Reality
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33700/1580-7118.25.2.175-194(2023)Keywords:
psychosomatics, placebo, illness, stress, mindfulness, emotional competenceAbstract
Psychosomatic disorders involve both the mind and the body. These are diseases with physical symptoms, which are not of organic origin, but are the result of the influence of psychosocial factors. One of the most common factors is stress, and the main factor for the latter is inadequate coping with emotions. The mind-body interaction, characteristic of psychosomatic diseases, also plays an important role in their treatment. The placebo effect refers to an improvement in health that cannot be attributed to a drug or treatment, but to psychological processes. Placebo reveals the effects of mental states – feelings, beliefs, and expectations – on physical outcomes. The treatment of psychosomatic disorders requires a holistic view of the person and a wider range of approaches. These include mindfulness and the development of emotional competence.
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