Psychosomatic diseases are diseases of the mind that manifest physical symptoms, such as stomach pain, tremors or sweat, but which have a psychological cause. They appear in people who have high levels of stress and anxiety, as it is a way for the body to physically demonstrate something that is wrong in the emotional and sentimental part.
Some of the physical signs that may indicate psychosomatic illness are:
- Increased heart rate; Tremors; Rapid breathing and shortness of breath; Cold or excessive sweat; Dry mouth; Sickness; Stomach pain; Feeling of lump in the throat; Chest, back and head pain; Red or purple spots on the skin.
These symptoms happen because stress and anxiety increase nerve activity in the brain, in addition to raising levels of hormones in the blood, such as adrenaline and cortisol. Many organs in the body, such as the intestines, stomach, muscles, skin and heart have a direct connection with the brain, and are the most affected by these changes.
With the persistence of symptoms, it is common to have diseases that can be caused or worsened by emotional causes, such as gastritis, fibromyalgia, psoriasis and high blood pressure, for example. In some cases, the symptoms are so intense that they can simulate serious illnesses, such as infarction, stroke or seizures, for example, and require rapid treatment based on anxiolytics, such as diazepam, in emergency care. Learn more about psychosomatic illnesses.
Causes of Psychosomatic Diseases
Anyone can develop a psychosomatic illness, since we are all exposed to situations that generate anxiety, stress or sadness. Thus, some of the situations that can lead to the appearance of this type of disease more easily are:
- Many demands and stress at work; Trauma due to significant events; Difficulty in expressing feelings or talking about them; Psychological pressure or bullying; Depression or anxiety; High degree of personal demand.
If any symptoms indicative of psychosomatic illness are suspected or if the person often feels anxious or stressed, it is recommended to go to the general practitioner so that tests can be performed to rule out other illnesses and, if necessary, be referred to a psychiatrist or psychologist.
Monitoring by a psychologist is very important in these situations, as it helps the person to identify the reason for their stress and anxiety and, thus, to be able to deal with this type of situation and adopt habits and strategies that promote the feeling of well-being.
How to treat
Treatment is done with drugs to relieve symptoms, such as painkillers, anti-inflammatories and nausea medications, as well as medications to control anxiety, using antidepressants, such as sertraline or citalopram, or calming anxiolytics, such as diazepam or alprazolam, for example, if indicated by the doctor.
In addition to medications, people who have psychosomatic symptoms and illnesses must be monitored by a psychologist and psychiatrist, for psychotherapy sessions and medication adjustments. Some tips for learning how to get around anxiety symptoms can also be followed, such as engaging in some pleasurable activity, for example.
There are also natural alternatives to help relieve emotional symptoms, such as chamomile and valerian teas, meditation and breathing techniques. See other tips for natural remedies for anxiety.
