What are Psychophysiologic Disorders?
What is a Psychophysiologic Disorder?
A psychophysiologic disorder (PPD) refers to physical symptoms that arise from and are influenced by the mind and emotions rather than a specific organic cause in the body. Essentially, the psychological factors can lead to actual physical symptoms. These symptoms are not imagined or faked but are real and can be measured. Examples include tension headaches, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and chronic back pain.
The connection between the mind and body has been recognized for centuries, but understanding the underlying mechanisms of PPD is still an active area of research. Stress, anxiety, and unresolved emotional issues are often associated with PPD, but the relationship is complex and multifaceted.
Connection to Chronic Pain
Chronic pain can be both a cause and a result of PPD. Here's how:
Cause of PPD: Long-term pain can lead to anxiety, depression, and stress. This can create a vicious cycle where the psychological distress contributes to more pain, leading to more distress, and so on.
Result of PPD: In some cases, psychological factors like unresolved trauma or excessive stress can manifest as chronic pain. This is where the mind's impact on the body becomes evident, creating real and tangible pain without a clear physiological cause.
Connection to Chronic Illness
Similarly, chronic illnesses can be influenced by psychophysiologic factors. For instance:
Exacerbating Illness: Emotional stress can exacerbate symptoms of chronic illnesses like heart disease and asthma. Stress hormones can have tangible effects on the body, such as raising blood pressure or causing inflammation.
Manifesting Illness: In some cases, PPD may manifest as chronic illnesses. While the underlying mechanisms may still be under study, it's clear that mind-body interactions play a significant role in health.
Treatment Approaches
Recognizing the connection between psychological factors and chronic pain or illness can guide treatment:
Psychotherapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other psychotherapy techniques can help patients understand the connection between their emotions and physical symptoms. This understanding can lead to better management of both.
Mind-Body Techniques: Practices such as meditation, yoga, or mindfulness can help manage stress and potentially alleviate symptoms.
Medication: Medications for pain, anxiety, or depression might be part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Holistic Approach: Collaborative care involving mental health professionals, physicians, and other healthcare providers can offer a more nuanced and effective treatment plan.
Conclusion
Psychophysiologic disorders demonstrate the intricate connection between mind and body. In the context of chronic pain and illness, understanding this connection is essential for effective diagnosis and treatment.
People suffering from chronic pain or illness should be assessed for psychological factors that might be contributing to their symptoms. By addressing both the mental and physical aspects, healthcare providers can offer more comprehensive and potentially more effective care.
One of the keys to treating PPD, is to decrease fear around movement, in order to dampen the threat response at the level of the brain. When we can decrease the activation of the alarm mechanism associated with a specific movement such as a hip-hinge, we can build new neural pathways.
In the pain coaching protocol we’ve built that is grounded in PPD principles, there are four main components:
Education of the nature of psychophysiologic disorders
Reducing the threat response at the level of the brain
Making changes to activities of daily living
Working with challenging emotions that are linked to the symptoms
The field of psychophysiologic disorders continues to evolve, and future research may further illuminate these complex connections. Until then, recognizing and treating these disorders as genuine medical conditions, with both mental and physical components, can pave the way for improved patient care and well-being.
