"The relationship between mind and body has long been a subject of controversy. In clinical practice, this question becomes especially critical when treating patients who live with chronic medical conditions such as autoimmune diseases, persistent pain syndromes, cancer, or dementia. Clinicians encounter diverse approaches: some traditions emphasize interventions that focus on the body (e.g., mindfulness, relaxation techniques), while others stress the centrality of the mind (e.g., conceptualizations of functional disorders)."
"Psychoanalysis, in particular, has historically been known for its theorization of conversion and functional disorders; yet the deeper meaning of these concepts calls for renewed examination. This post reexamines the mind-body relationship from a psychoanalytic perspective in order to broaden clinical understanding. 1. Avoiding Psychological Reductionism As a psychologist, I remain alert to the danger of interpreting all clinical material through a purely psychological lens. This risk of psychological reductionism can distort clinical judgment."
The relationship between mind and body influences clinical care for patients with chronic conditions like autoimmune disease, persistent pain, cancer, and dementia. Clinical traditions vary, some prioritizing body-focused interventions (mindfulness, relaxation) while others emphasize mental causes such as functional disorders. Psychoanalytic theory historically concentrated on conversion and functional symptoms, prompting reconsideration of their meaning. Clinicians must avoid psychological reductionism, since prematurely labeling symptoms as psychogenic can miss medical diagnoses (e.g., pregnancy, Parkinson's disease, serious illness underlying pain). Illness often spans medical and psychiatric domains, requiring balanced, respectful attention to both and careful listening to patient narratives.
Read at Psychology Today
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