Psychosomatic or somatopsychotic? A critical analysis of psychosomatic Medicine

Objective: To assess the scientific foundations of the so-called “psychosomatic Medicine” underlying all medical and scientific concepts and statements, likewise in any science. Case reports are presented. Methods: The following issues were epistemologically tested: (i) the mind causes bodily diseas...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Paulo Cesar Sandler
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa Albert Einstein 2008-09-01
Series:Einstein (São Paulo)
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.einstein.br/revista/arquivos/PDF/652-Einsteinv6n2p134-41.pdf
Description
Summary:Objective: To assess the scientific foundations of the so-called “psychosomatic Medicine” underlying all medical and scientific concepts and statements, likewise in any science. Case reports are presented. Methods: The following issues were epistemologically tested: (i) the mind causes bodily diseases; (ii) depression causes cancer; (iii) stress causes myocardial infarction and other diseases and (iv) body language. In order to study the statements and propositions, the author used: (i) theories from the Enlightenment period; (ii) positivist theories and (iii) modern science theories. All these theories are presented briefly. Rresults: There is evidence of a spurious split between body and mind, which results in one-sided investigations – without questioning their actual existence. This split is also shown by the psychosomatic Medicine, which has added some additional problems to the field. Cconclusions: Results of epistemological and psychoanalytic “assessments” enable a critical analysis of the psychosomatic model, without apparently being successful in presenting a holistic approach, and requiring alternatives. Recommended medical management of “psychosomatic patients” is also presented.
ISSN:1679-4508