Česky
2.2.2015
"Psyche means soul, spirit, soma body. One does not exist without the other, so one cannot be treated well without the other. Psychosomatics is not psychiatry. In fact, it is a separate branch of medicine, although in our country it has not yet ended with a specialization. There are only courses attended by doctors of different specialties. In some countries, for example in Germany, there is a specialisation in psychosomatics, as well as psychosomatic departments and clinics. However, psychosomatics is also - and above all - a psychosomatic approach that can be used in the treatment of any illness. Sure, sometimes more, sometimes less. In acute conditions we always follow the correct procedures in medicine, but for example in the further prevention of myocardial infarction, the doctor and especially the patient should be interested in the patient's way of life, says Milena Kolářová, MD, and recalls that within psychosomatics certain diseases were first described that were first recognized as psychosomatic, i.e. those that we induce, for example, by stress - mainly hypertension (high blood pressure), duodenal ulcer, asthma. Nowadays, it is increasingly confirmed that every disease is related to the psyche and also to the social environment-we are talking about biopsychosocial connections. This does not, of course, exclude a very important factor, genetics, which, after all, fits into this framework and whose knowledge is still developing.
So what can best be treated using a psychosomatic approach? "In the Rehabilitation Centre of the Beroun Hospital we focus most on painful conditions, of course. Statistically, there are more than 40% of patients , who generally have difficulties with obvious psychosocial connections. We often see variable findings (one day headache, one day elbow pain, another day lumbar spine pain), vegetative symptoms (sweating, blushing), anxiety and depressive mood - I have nothing to live for, life is not fun, I feel tired all the time, etc. Yet many patients have had many tests- lab, CT scan, X-ray and many other specialized tests. The findings are negative or such that anyone can have them at a certain age, thus negligible. Why this particular person has such difficulties is not explained. The unhappy patient goes from one doctor to another, becomes distrustful, and burdens himself and the health insurance company with repeated examinations. He changes his doctor, becomes dissatisfied and gets worse. Of course, we all have the right to an examination and a so-called second opinion from another doctor. But the strangely shifting difficulties and a few clueless doctors are worth considering. Unfortunately, something of a taboo still lingers. If a doctor offers us a psychologist, the response is often - I'm fine. Perhaps there is fear, fear of the possibility of abuse and who knows what else. A scar on the body is normal, a scar on the soul is or can be a disgrace. And yet we all know examples of the influence of the psyche-skin rash before an exam, diarrhea before an unpleasant act, even allergies can be strange. One patient tested allergic to dog hair. Mold doesn't bother her according to the test. She hates mold, loves dogs. She doesn't cough with the dog, she has an irritating cough in an environment where there is mould," recalls MUDr. Kolářová and when asked how she is treated with a psychosomatic approach, she emphasizes:
" The important thing is that we are not talking about psychiatry or psychology or any other discipline. The doctor uses all the examinations that the patient has undergone, discusses with him his problems and his life. What is important is the so-called timeline, we look back in time to what has happened and try to find together with the patient the connection with his problem. In cases where the psychological problems are major, we cannot do without specialised psychological assessment and treatment. The psychologist offers, among other things, relaxation training. Who among us can really relax? Our physiotherapists also use the psychosomatic approach. Relaxation, contact, trust and time. That's the basis of treatment. Unfortunately, time is the biggest problem for everyone, says MUDr. Kolářová and adds an important fact, often underestimated by the patient - people are often discouraged from trying to find and solve the problem because psychosomatics requires an active approach. "We have to realize that the basis is not pink or other pills, a person can take them according to the doctor's recommendation, but he or she has to start treating himself or herself together with the person who is helping him or her. No one can do it for him. All those involved in his treatment will help him. It's hard to work on yourself. That's why we're all waiting for the miracles of medicine. Even if they are almost there, our repaired hands or feet must be guided by our brain-cells or spirit or both," says MUDr. Kolářová. The good news is that psychosomatic medicine can help show us the way.
