Diseases As A Reflection Of The Psyche

Essay, Research Paper

DISEASES AS A REFLECTION OF THE PSYCHE

Wanting to know whether or not the human brain has

the power to cure the body of illness, I set out to

find an article with some cold hard facts. This

article, written by Marcia Angell, Ph.D., elaborates on

the subject of the connection between mental state and

disease.

The belief that there is a connection between

mental and physical health is apparent in the article.

It signifies that if a person is in a positive frame of

mind, active and content, then they are physically

healthy and have the ability to ward off many

illnesses. However, in the event the person is in a

deep state of depression, inactive, or despondent, then

their body reacts in a way as to give up and allows

sickness to invade their immune system. The ability to

control ones physical status is possible, however only

to a certain extent. One has to be realistic and not

assume that the mind can cure a terminal illness or one

of congenital defect, or can it? These beliefs

coincide with the philosophies of monism, the mind and

body working as one, and the Grand Unification Theory,

the joining together of mind and body in an organ

called the brain. I personally believe the mind can

influence ones body. My opinion stems from my

discipline acquired in the martial arts. I can employ

the use of my mind to block out or ignore moderate

amounts of pain. Therefore I believe the mind has some

definite control over the body and its functions as a

healer. I therefore agree with Marcia Angel in

believing that positive thoughts and concentration will

result in a healthy body, while negative thoughts will

elicit detrimental effects. There is a vast amount of

the brain that has been explored, yet much of its

functioning and abilities still remain a mystery. It

has been said that secrets to the universe and powers

beyond our comprehension are hidden in certain regions

of the brain. Perhaps it is in these mysterious

regions that those secrets lie.

The practice of healing with the mind could be

implemented in medical facilities around the world,

leading to alternative fields of medical interventions

for treating various illnesses. Mind/Body medicine

exists worldwide. On October 26, 1993, Turner

Broadcast System will air The Heart of Healing. this

show depicts various individuals whom have reportedly

cured themselves with the power of the mind. Viewing

this documentary could be beneficial to everyone,

especially individuals with a sense of hopelessness and

helplessness.

This article and subject may be interesting to

individuals in health related fields by lowering the

cost of treatment and reducing the demand for

pharmaceuticals to cope with pain and symptoms

associated with simple illnesses. With proper

education this can be proven to also aid people whose

religions prohibit the use of our medical technology.

And if accepted, they could use the mind to cure

sicknesses and or reduce the needless suffering of

minor pain.

If you are curious about this topic some other

sources of information are Mind and body Medicine: A

new Paradigm? by Frank Sabatino, Ph.D.. in the journal

Hospitals. It also discusses how this once shunned

practice is becoming more and more popular in todays

health care society. Another article one may consider

reading is New concepts of Health and Healing May

affect Hospitals Approach to Care , also by Frank

Sabatino. It discusses how some of the ancient

practices are coming back into circulation in the

medical field. Techniques such as acupuncture,

acupressure, yoga, and meditation are complimentary

examples of these practices. Interest in these

techniques have been aroused partly because of the need

to restore the human need for alternative treatment

along with modern medicine. Local hospitals utilize

counseling staff along with medical personnel in

treating illnesses such as chronic abdominal pain,

nausea, vomiting, and chronic headaches by teaching

patients relaxation and stress management techniques in

order to enhance the healing process. Patients who

have been treated solely by use of pharmaceutical means

with little relief of symptoms tend to respond

positively when taught alternative psychological

methods for coping with pain and gaining mental and

physical wellness.

In closing, if mind over body medicine was working

before had the technology that is available today, then

how are we to know that the answers to todays problems

are not hidden in the past?