Psychosomatic diseases are violations of the functions of internal systems and organs. Their education and development is mainly due to neuropsychic factors, specific features in the emotional response of an individual, an experience of chronic or acute psychological trauma.
The basis of the formation of these ailments is a special mechanism. The psychological defense of the body is manifested by the so-called "crowding out". This is a condition when a person tries not to think about difficulties and troubles, pushes problems without analyzing them. Thus, they move from the level at which they formed (social or psychological) to the physical level.
Psychosomatic diseases in general have the following development mechanism: a stress factor provokes affective tension, which activates the nervous autonomic and neuroendocrine systems, with subsequent changes in the internal organs and vascular system. Initially, the consequences are functional. However, with frequent and prolonged repetition, they become organic, irreversible.
The psychosomatic diseases and disorders that underlie them are divided into three groups.
The first includes organic pathologies (bronchial asthma, peptic ulcer and hypertension, and others). The leading role in their development belongs to psychogenic components.
The next group includes autonomic neuroses and functional disorders.
And finally, psychosomatic diseases, due to the characteristics of emotional personal behavior and response. These include alcoholism, a tendency to injuries and others.
Modern medicine distinguishes the following psychosomatic diseases:
- essential hypertension ;
- bronchial asthma;
- pathology of the gastrointestinal tract;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- ulcerative colitis;
- a heart attack;
- neurodermatitis;
- sexual disorders;
- diabetes;
- oncological diseases;
- goiter.
Of course, pathologies do not always develop on an emotional background. Organic lesions, accompanied by objective changes in tissues and organs suggest a drug effect. However, in the presence of emotional provoking factors, it should be carried out in conjunction with psychotherapeutic measures.
Psychosomatic diseases and their treatment require an integrated approach. Moreover, each case has its own individual characteristics.
Today, treatment of patients in this category boils down mainly to a combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. It is also advisable to conduct physiotherapy. As additional measures, balneotherapy and spa treatment are also used. In some cases, traditional medicine can also be very effective.
The effect of drugs is mainly aimed at the peripheral and central departments in the nervous system, as well as personal reactions of a psychological nature.
The choice of psychotropic medicines is determined, first of all, by the severity of manifestations. When revealing the state of incompleteness of disorders, their episodic manifestation and instability, as a rule, the appointment of tranquilizers is sufficient. Along with this, funds that are traditionally considered as somatotropic, but with a slightly pronounced psychotropic effect (drugs from the group of beta-blockers with normotimic properties, Verapamil, Nifedipine) can be used.
When identifying psychologically complete states, the choice of psychotropic medicines is determined taking into account the structure of the syndrome.