Types of Psychosomatic Illness
Psychosomatic illness can impact the body in a number of different ways. Some common examples of symptoms and problems that a person might experience that stem from psychological causes include:
Back pain Body aches Cognitive problems Erectile dysfunction Fatigue Hair loss Headaches and migraines High blood pressure Insomnia Pain Stomach upset Stomach ulcers Skin rash Weight changes
It is important to note that this does not mean that these conditions are always caused by psychosomatic illness. They often have medical causes.
Stress-Induced Symptoms
When you are under stress, you may experience physical symptoms. These can include aches, pains, muscle spasms, and headaches, possibly from unconsciously tensing your muscles for extended periods. This is because your body secretes a hormone called cortisol when you are under stress. In addition to being the “stress hormone,” cortisol affects wide range of other body functions. This affects your blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, and glucose levels. This is why too much of the hormone, particularly over a long period of time, can lead to problems such as stomach problems, thyroid problems, slow wound healing, hypoglycemia, and decreased bone density. These symptoms can lead you to see a doctor, who then may rule out any disease process that might be causing them. Without a diagnosis, you may only get treatment aimed at relieving the symptoms or no treatment at all. You may continue to have the symptoms or only partial relief from them. Psychological treatments and stress management are important, but this does not mean that psychosomatic illnesses do not require medical treatment. Medications may be prescribed to help treat symptoms that you are experiencing.
Coping With Psychosomatic Illness
In addition to treating the physical symptoms, there are strategies that can help manage psychological aspects of the condition and manage stress levels. A few different solutions might be effective for relieving stress-related psychosomatic illness.
Psychotherapy
Research suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be effective for treating stress-related disorders. CBT can minimize stress by correcting faulty negative beliefs, reducing safety-seeking behaviors, and enhancing stress coping skills.
Medications
Your healthcare provider or therapist may also prescribe medications such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications. Mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety can contribute to physical symptoms, so medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and benzodiazepines may be helpful for improving well-being.
Self-Help
Self-help may also be an effective tool for reducing medically unexplained symptoms and improving quality of life. Research suggests that self-guided stress management can be helpful for managing symptoms of stress. However, this approach may be best utilized as a first step or as part of a more comprehensive treatment program.
Relieving Stress for Health
If you are experiencing health concerns that might be related to stress, your first step should be to talk to your healthcare provider. They can rule out other causes and recommend treatments that may help. However, there are also steps you can take to relieve stress and improve your overall health. To stay healthy, learn to deal with stress well and eliminate excessive stress from your life. You need to create a healthy lifestyle that includes less stress and more well-being. Strategies that may be helpful for reducing stress levels include:
Avoiding smoking and alcohol Deep breathing Focusing on the things you can control Getting regular exercise Getting enough sleep each night Gratitude journaling Meditation Mindfulness Progressive muscle relaxation Social support
There are dozens of stress-relieving tactics available, so it is important to learn what stress relievers work best for you. Create a stress management game plan to examine and change the stress in your life. By maintaining healthy habits, you can minimize the stress in your life and reduce the impact of stress-related psychosomatic illness on your health and well-being.
