| 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?
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