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Researched
and Composed by
Gabriel “Venom” Wilson, BSc. (Hons), CSCS
Introduction
“Oh, stop worrying about his leg, he’s fine. It’s just psychosomatic.”
Many times, people attribute decrements in performance or health to the
psychosomatic model. Yet, this quote shows a complete lack of
understanding of the model. First, it suggests that the decrement is all
in the mind; however, it may not just be mental. Second, it is very
dismissive, suggesting that mental disorders are easy to fix. Indeed,
hundreds of studies are showing again and again that decrements to
health due to the mind body connection are real problems (Simmons,
2006). In this context, the purpose of this paper was to define the
psychosomatic model, and ways to deal with stress using this model.
The
Psychosomatic Model
Many confuse the psychosomatic model with the disease hypochondria.
Hypochondria is the unreasonable fear about ones health, accompanied by
delusions of disease. For instance, people with hypochondria may turn
frantic over the slightest pain, thinking it may be an indication of
some horrible disease such as cancer, when it is nothing more than a
bruise. However, the psychosomatic model is a real problem, and not just
a delusion.
Figure 1.
The Mind Body Connection.
Figure 1 graphically depicts the connection between the mind and the
body. The psychosomatic model describes the connection between the mind
and the body, and the resultant effects on health and disease generated
from this connection. Results indicate that mental stress is a
contributor to ailments such as paralysis, certain cancers, ulcers, and
hypertension (Simmons, 2006). In a review article on the biological
processes in psychological stress, Haddy and Clover (2001) found that
mental stress was related to an increase in various potentially harmful
chemical substances, such as cortisol which degrades proteins, including
white blood cells and antibodies, resulting in a decrease in immune
function, and consequently, elevated rates of sickness; and thyroxin,
which causes an increase in cerebration (thoughts), which is one reason
why people that are stressed often have sleeping disorders—because they
are up worrying all night (Inouye, 2006).
A model often not considered, but equally valid, is the Somatopsychic
model, which discusses the effects caused on the mind by the body. For
instance, in a recent review article, Landers (2006, in press) found
evidence that exercise can significantly reduce mental stress,
depression, anxiety, and enhance cognitive function, among other
benefits.
This model suggests that the mind body connection occurs through several
steps; these steps will be discussed subsequently.
Figure 2
The Psychosomatic
Model (Adapted from Wilson, 2004)
Figure 2 graphically depicts the Psychosomatic Model. First, a stimulus
(such as food, cold, etc.) is introduced into the environment.
Secondly, the individual brings the stimulus into the body (has
perception of it). Cognitive Appraisal is a stepwise process. After
perception of the stimulus, you compare the stimulus to past experiences
and then select out a response, and benefit from the experience (Sawyer,
2005). If you appraise the situation as being negative, then your
emotional response will most likely be high cognitive anxiety, which is
a negative emotional state. This emotional state would then drive the
body (the supposed “link” between the mind and body; I say supposed,
because evidence suggests all these stages are intimately linked between
the mind and the body) to initiate physiological arousal, and a
response, with the resultant effects promoting health or disease. It is
important to understand that this model is not always linear. For
instance, increased physiological arousal can directly effect
perceptions or emotions, and perception can effect arousal.
For more on the physiology behind the psychosomatic model, such as brain
structures involved, refer to Wilson (2004)
A Psycho Somatic Approach to the Initiation of Hypertrophic Stimuli.
The implications of this model are tremendous. By understanding these
stages, we can intervene at certain steps, to influence the stress
response. For instance, during a speech in front of hundreds of people
(the stimuli and perception), one may feel threatened, as they are being
evaluated (cognitive appraisal). One may respond with negative emotions,
which leads to increased arousal and stiffness during the speech,
impairing performance. However, the individual could intervene here at
the appraisal stages, with positive self talk, which involves self
persuasion (i.e. telling yourself you can do it).
Many instead use pessimism here, which has been demonstrated to decrease
performance, and increase stress (Simmons, 2006). Pessimism can lead to
Learned Helplessness. Zeligman (1975) reported that shocking animals no
matter what they do, eventually resulted in them sitting down and taking
the shock (learned helplessness). They later could not heal their mental
sickness. Following this, the authors wrote many dissertations on the
topic, and strongly urged scientists to never replicate an experiment
which could cause such damage to animals. Yet, it appears many today are
either unaware or did not take heed to this suggestion, because we
replicate this same experiment in the work place on a daily bases! When
we provide environments at work, where people get no reinforcement for
their actions, and people themselves turn into pessimists, this can
result in learned helplessness, where we simply give up, because it
seems there is no way to solve our problems.
Contrary to this ailment, is the concept of learned optimism. As the
book of proverbs says, “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth
up again.” This concept keeps a person pushing on, and focusing on
positive things, no matter the set of circumstances. For instance, if it
took you ten times to pass your drivers test, so what, you got it still,
right? Interestingly enough, too much optimism will never make you
sick—there is no such thing as being too happy (Simmons, 2006).
Summary
Evidence suggests there is a real connection between the mind and the
body, and between the body and the mind, and both have effects on health
and disease; these connections are referred to as the psychosomatic and
somatophysic models, respectively. Thus, negative emotive states such as
pessimism, can lead to a stress response, which can cause various
diseases and impair performance. How to avoid these problems with
specific interventions will be discussed further on in this series. To
continue on to part 4, click
Here.
Keep it Hardcore,
Venom
Vice President of ABCbodybuilding.com
Venom@abcbodybuilding.com
References
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Haddy, Richard I.
Clover, Richard D. (2001). The biological processes in psychological
stress. Families, Systems & Health.
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Inouye, C (2006).
Exercise and Stress Lecture. California State East Bay.
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Landers. M.,
Daniel (2006). Physical Activity and Mental Health. DRAFT OF
MANUSCRIPT SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION IN THE HANDBOOK OF SPORT
PSYCHOLOGY
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Sawyer, D. (2005). SensoriMotor Skill Acquisition Lecture.
California State University Hayward.
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Simmons, J
(2006). Exercise and Stress Lecture. California State East Bay.
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Zeligman (1975).
Learned Helplessness: On Depression, Development and Death. San
Francisco: Freeman Press. Psychoneuroenaocinology 23:219-243
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