Depression and the Mind-Body Connection
There is a strong possibility that when a patient goes to the doctor with depression, to be treated within the medical model, they may underplay or not even mention physical symptoms, thinking that “they’re all in the mind” — meaning not real, not worthy of attention. In fact, pain is felt in all kinds of ways, and when doctors and patients alike recognise that, research shows that treatment works better.
The mind-body connection is something which most people agree exists, yet it is open to a variety of interpretations. Where painful conditions and depression occur together we could say we are in a chicken and egg situation. The very fact that we use the same word ‘pain’ to cover the sensation of having a physical injury and the end of a love affair is telling.
As a therapist I am acutely aware of the way pains of all kinds get stored and held within the body, protected and looked after there. In the same way in which we injure our backs and then start to walk strangely in order not to disturb the hurt area and cause pain, we can protect ourselves from emotional pain by avoiding triggers and getting stuck in certain ways of relating or being that at first are artificial and then seem to ‘be us’. The problem is that both the physical and emotional problems can then become chronic.
Furthermore, the more research is done on the way the central nervous system and neural pathways work, the more it seems that emotions and physical pain move in similar ways, and are often experienced together due to their sharing a neurological pathway[1].
There is still a strong possibility, though, that when a patient goes to the doctor with depression, to be treated within the medical model, they may underplay or not even mention physical symptoms, thinking that “they’re all in the mind” — meaning not real, not worthy of attention. In fact, pain is felt in all kinds of ways, and when doctors and patients alike recognise that, research shows that treatment works better.
The World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) and WONCA, The World Organization of Family Doctors, have recently conducted the Mind-Body Connection Survey, an international online survey of 252 adults who have received at least one prescription treatment for depression in the past year and 501 GPs or family doctors.
Findings from the Mind-Body Connection Survey suggest that when doctors initiated discussion about both emotional and physical symptoms, there was a positive impact on depression management and recovery. Patients who discussed the mind-body connection with their doctor had more understanding of how the treatment worked (82% rather than 67% in those who did not discuss the matter), and believed that treating both physical and emotional symptoms was of importance. In fact I would say that the discussion, maybe the sheer fact of having an open discussion with the doctor, promoted a feeling of wholeness in the patients. Positive feelings and understanding of treatment are also likely in themselves to help the process of healing along.
Those who had a deeper understanding of the mind-body connection themselves were much quicker (a year quicker) in going to the doctor in the first place and asking for help. Understanding of the wholeness of mind and body seems associated with being more proactive and maybe on an underlying level more positively valuing the self. It also seems that the more awareness there is of the reality of someone’s experience, and the more communication there is between the helper and the helped, the more strongly the healing process is initiated. It looks, in fact, as though the therapeutic method occurs, and is effective, right within the medical model of treatment for distress.
[1] Bair MJ et al. Depression and Pain Comorbidity. A Literature Review; Archives of Internal Medicine: Vol. 163 No, 20, November 10 2003.
Basbaum AI and Fields HL. Endogenous Pain Control Systems: Brainstem Spinal Pathways and Endorphin Circuitry. Ann. Rev Neurosci. 1984 7:309-38
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This article was last reviewed by on Tuesday, 23rd October 2007. You can leave a response below.
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26th October 2007
The year was 1988 when my interest in the mind/body connection became a full time passion into researching the study of psycho-neuroimmunology. So many books, articles, and studies since that time
have been published and different terms have been employed. The connection is so powerful that it’s existence defies debate. I believe doctors should be taught what to ask the patient if “pain” cannot be pinpointed or seems vague. Doctors should refer the patient to a therapist, and after the therapist’s evaluation, the two doctors should discuss the case.
I also believe that most people are not as medically savvy, perhaps for reasons of denial, when they first seek out the doctor.
I intentionally witheld information. This was a time before post partum depression was openly discussed and all over the media. I told my internist that I took a tumble and fell on the ice. The pain meds provided just enough relief to get by. I was too humiliated to tell the truth. After all, this is what I had been dreaming of since my childhood.
Within the next 3 months I was diagnosed with breast cancer (the first) and adult ADD. Nothing is more painful than the realization that your life’s dreams
of marriage, children, were not what you expected. In fact, as I recall, these were my parents’ dre
ams for me. The cancer was in a way a relief because I could no longer hide what my body language was revealing. What a relief! Laurie’s problems were medical. Adversity has been my shadow for 20 years, looking me right in the eye, ccoming close to sucking the life out of me.
My personal experiences have taken me on a twenty year journey, seeking approval and avoiding anger-not living authentically, not quite sure where I fit in.
Always felt like I was being judged, that I had to be perfect and happy and in control at all times. Most people didn’t then, and still don’t, recognize depression and ADD as legitimate disorders. I could have been a poster child for the DSM III.
Humor has been a lifesaver for me. If I don’t see the humor, the silliness, in the human condition, I lose my perspective. At least I no longer have neurotic
obsessions- now I just suffer from general unhappiness. Who could ask for more?
There are many doctors out there that would rather give you pills and dull your creativity rather than encourage it. Maybe they thought the oath stated, “first no charm.”
30th October 2007
Interesting points about the creativity that can lie within depression, and the need for doctors to liase with therapists. Thanks. It seems you have been on quite a journey!
16th March 2008
i just want 2 know wht r the causes happen by depression,
15th July 2008
Love who you are…. no matter what your feeling…….right now
even depression passes….what are you thinking about when your hurting
so deeply, write down your needs, what’s bothering, its ok…
St. Thersa”s Prayer
may today there be peace within.
May you trust God you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May ypu use those gifts that you have recieved, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be confident knowing you are a child of God.
Let his presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise, and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.
Just a thought the measure of the pain during your ” depression” is the measure of how deeply you love … Concentrate on the joy that you can share your love. Remember one of your most loving experiences.
Mother Theresa says if we really want to love, we must forgive……
Woman have a gift we love and understand.
I hope this helps you all!