Disturbance of affect is the switch stand of psychic and psychosomatic symptoms

Authors

  • Oskar Frischenschlager

Abstract

In this article the following basic question of psychosomatic medicine is investigated: in which control module of the organism is the decision made whether a psychic or a psychosomatic symptom is created. Describing this switch stand I tried to avoid the fundamental gap between an external (physiological) perspective and an internal (psychological) perspective by focusing the affect and its disturbances. By means of a detailed case report the decision making process between psychic and psychosomatic symptom genesis is described. Affects (synonymously: emotions) are (besides cognitions) of central importance for orientation. If an affect is disturbed, especially if it is desintegrated, the person is not able to identify the meaning of a strain and therefore not able to adapt it or to fight against it. Now the path to the development of a psychosomatic symptom is led.

Keywords Psychosomatics; Affect; Emotion; Disintegration of affect; Psychotherapy

Author Biography

Oskar Frischenschlager

Oskar Frischenschlager, Dr., Univ.-Prof. am Zentrum für Public Health, Institut für Medizinische Psychologie der Medizinischen Universität Wien, Psychotherapeut (Psychoanalyse), klinischer Psychologe, Gesundheitspsychologe, Supervisor.

Korrespondenz: Institut für Medizinische Psychologie, Zentrum für Public Health, Medizinische Universität Wien, Severingasse 9, 1090 Wien, Österreich

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Published

2008-01-01

How to Cite

Frischenschlager, O. (2008). Disturbance of affect is the switch stand of psychic and psychosomatic symptoms. Psychotherapie-Wissenschaft, (1), 31–38. Retrieved from https://psychotherapie-wissenschaft.info/article/view/102

Issue

No. 1 (2008): Psychotherapie Forum 16/1 (veröffentlicht bei Springer Wien New York)

Section

Original Work

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