Abstract

URIBE RESTREPO, Miguel. Sychosomatic Medicine: Models for Understanding it. rev.colomb.psiquiatr. [online]. 2006, vol.35, suppl.1, pp.7-20. ISSN 0034-7450.

This paper shows some of the conceptual models underlying an understanding of psychosomatic medicine. Psychoanalysis had an important historic influence and has evolved in concepts such as alexithymia. The basic idea consists in the difficulty mentally processing emotional contents, leading to a somatic discharge. Cognitive models have offer interesting ideas recently, allowing a joint exploration with brain functional images. Other concepts including allostasis, stress, psychoneuroinmunology and the importance of early events en the later response of the organism facing adverse situations are also discussed. Finally, the importance of social aspects in the individual’s health status is also underlined.

Keywords : Psychosomatic medicine; theoretical models; stress; affective symptoms; somatoform disorders; psychoneuroinmunology.

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