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Introduction: According to ICD-11, personality disorders (PDs) are defined by the severity of self and interpersonal dysfunction in terms of personality functioning (PF) and an optional assessment of specific maladaptive personality trait expressions. Also, somatoform disorders are replaced by somatic symptom disorder (SSD). This study examines associations using the novel diagnostic criteria of SSD in an unselected primary care sample, PF, and maladaptive traits in patients with and without SSD. Methods: An anonymized cross-sectional study was conducted. A questionnaire including SSD-12 (Somatic Symptom Disorder B Criteria Scale-12) and PHQ-15 (Patient Health Questionnaire-15), LPFS-BF 2.0 (Level of Personality Functioning Scale – Brief Form) and PID-5BF+M (Modified Personality Inventory for DSM-5 – Brief Form Plus) was used. A bifactor (S-1) model was calculated with PF (reference for general factor) and personality traits (specific factors) to estimate associations between PF, specific maladaptive personality traits, and SSD. Differences in personality scales between SSD and non-SSD patients were calculated with the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: A total of 624 patients in six general practices participated (mean age 47 years; 60.4% female). SSD-12 and PHQ-15, respectively, showed significant associations with PF (γ = 0.51; γ = 0.48; p < 0.001), negative affectivity (γ = 0.50; γ = 0.38, p < 0.001) and psychoticism (γ = 0.29; γ = 0.28; p < 0.010). Besides, SSD-12 was significantly associated with disinhibition (γ = −0.38; p < 0.010) and anankastia (γ = −0.16; p < 0.010). Patients with SSD showed significantly impaired PF and maladaptive traits in all scales (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Impaired PF explains moderate to large amounts of the SSD symptoms and maladaptive personality traits negative affectivity, psychoticism, disinhibition, and anankastia show specific associations beyond PF. An in-depth understanding of these relations might be helpful to improve doctor-patient communication and treatment in SSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACTBackground: Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) describes chronic disturbances in self-organization (i.e. affect dysregulation; negative self-concept; severe difficulties in relationships) which are frequently observed in survivors of prolonged, repeated or multiple traumatic stressors. So far, evidence of psychodynamic treatment approaches for CPTSD is scarce.Methods: In this single-centre observational pilot study, symptom change during a 6-week psychodynamic inpatient treatment in a multimodal psychosomatic rehabilitation centre was evaluated using repeated measures analyses of variance (ANOVAs). Patients completed questionnaires on PTSD and CPTSD symptoms (ITQ), anxiety, depression and somatization (BSI-18), functional impairment (WHODAS) and epistemic trust, mistrust and credulity (ETMCQ) before (T1) and at the end of treatment (T2). A hierarchical linear regression analysis was calculated to identify factors associated with improved CPTSD symptoms.Results: A total of n = 50 patients with CPTSD were included in the study, of whom n = 40 (80%) completed treatment. Patients reported a significant reduction of CPTSD symptoms during treatment with a large effect size (−3.9 points; p

Copyright of Psychiatria Hungarica is the property of Hungarian Psychiatric Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A recently published concept considers a significant proportion of the occurrence and persistence of functional movement disorders (FMD) to be explained by increased/incorrect weighting of the expected movement (feedforward signal) in the presence of decreased/altered actual feedback of the movement. In the context of aging and age-associated diseases, there is an increased likelihood that these prerequisites will occur, also in combination. For example, the feedforward signal can be enhanced by accumulation of a wealth of experience but can for example become prone to error due to changes in attention and (fear of) falling. Conversely, the actual feedback is subject to age-related changes, such as reduction of sensory functions. This could explain why FMDs also occur in old age and offer treatment approaches for this so far poorly studied disorder. It follows that a specific focus on (the correction of) feedforward signals and strengthening as well as training of the actual feedback are potentially promising therapeutic approaches for older people with FMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim and Background: Psycho-physical disorder is one of the most common medical complaints and a type of debilitating disease that affects different aspects of the patients' personality; therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of determining the effectiveness of short-term and intensive emotional-oriented therapy on personality organization in women with somatic psychosis. Methods and Materials: This study was semi-experimental with a pre-test, post-test, and two-month follow-up plan with a control group. The target population was all patients with somatic psychosis who referred to the specialized neuropsychiatric clinic in Tehran in 1401. The sample size was determined by referring to Cohen's table. In this way, at the confidence level of 95%, the effect size was 0.30 and the statistical power was 0.83 for each group of 12 people. However, since there was a possibility of some samples dropping out and in order to generalize the results more, the sample size was determined to be 15 people in each group. In the first step, 30 people were selected by available sampling method, and in the second step, these 30 people were replaced in two experimental groups (15 people) and a control group (15 people) in a simple random way (by lottery). The data were obtained using Kernberg Stipo questionnaire (2003) and Nef self-compassion questionnaire (2003) and 15 treatment sessions were performed according to Dovanlo's treatment protocol. Findings: The results of the study indicated the impact of intensive and short-term dynamic psychotherapy on the dimensions of self-compassion and personality organization in patients with somatic psychosis (P

Aspects of hypnosis and its application in psychotherapy, psychosomatics and medicine are examined and contextualized in the 250-year history of hypnosis. Imagination as an essential element of hypnotic treatments appeared as early as 1784 as an argument rejecting the theory of animal magnetism of Franz Anton Mesmer. In somnambulism of German romanticism, another proto-form of hypnosis after 1800, concepts of the mind–body problem were dealt with, which still characterize the understanding of unconscious mental processes today. Hypnosis was at the beginning of psychoanalysis, but was not pursued further by Sigmund Freud from 1900 onwards. Nevertheless, there were some hypnoanalytical approaches in the 20th century, as well as attempts to integrate hypnosis into behavior therapy. Techniques of imagination and relaxation combine both; in particular findings from cognitive psychology explain processes of both hypnosis and cognitive behavioral therapy. The influence of social psychology brought a new perspective to the debate about the nature of hypnosis, which continues to this day: is hypnosis to be understood as a special state of consciousness or is it a completely normal, mundane interaction? The experiments that were carried out to support one side or the other were also dependent on the hypnotizability of the subjects involved, as the more difficult hypnotic phenomena such as paralysis, hallucinations or identity delusions can only be demonstrated by highly hypnotizable subjects. The fact that these are not mere compliance reactions has now been proven by many studies using imaging techniques. But even those who are moderately hypnotizable benefit from hypnosis rituals. Variables postulated by socio-cognitive hypnosis researchers, such as motivation and expectation, are relevant, as is a good “hypnotic rapport.” Practical application of hypnotherapy today is characterized by the innovative techniques and strategies developed by Milton H. Erickson. Research into the effectiveness of hypnosis in the field of psychotherapy and psychosomatics still leaves much to be done. The situation is different in the field of medical hypnosis, where there are considerably more studies with a satisfactory design and verifiable effects. However, the impact in practical application in everyday medical practice is still low. Newer developments such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence are being looked at with critical interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This comment on Bottaccioli & Bottaccioli’s (2024a) article critically analyzes Franz Alexander’s role in developing contemporary psychosomatics in both its innovative aspects and limitations. On the one hand, Alexander contributed to emancipating the explanation of physical symptoms from the classical approach of the early 20th century stiffened on the model of hysterical conversion and promoted the organization of the international psychosomatic movement, including the Italian one. On the other hand, his limitations mainly concern the theoretical approach typical of 20th century psychoanalysis: adopting a one-dimensional model centered on intrapsychic conflict and the indeterminacy – necessary for the time – of a biological “X” factor as mediator. Instead, in the second half of the 20th century, a deficit-centered model of explanation (e.g., alexithymia) and complexity (e.g., biopsychosocial model) emerged, in which various moderating biomedical, psychological, and socio-cultural factors assume different relative weights in the explanation of physical illnesses and the clinical management of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychosomatics investigates complex connections between the psyche, the body (soma) and social influences. This approach assumes that psychological factors play a decisive role in the emergence and development of physical illnesses. The identification of script elements, such as deeply rooted beliefs and early conclusions, enables the clarification and treatment of connections between script and psychosomatic illnesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychoanalysis had its origins in an era when feelings that could not be recognized by the mind were being manifested in the body. Psychoanalysis works towards resolving this type of split by recognizing the existence of a dual language structure that includes both body and mind as constituents of the fabric of embodied meanings. The field of psychosomatics helps to provide keys to this language, marking the essential, patterned truths that are recognized at very basic levels and increasingly organize our perceptions as we make sense of the world. In disrupting the integration of embodied meanings, trauma impedes identity development. For some patients, learning to make meaning from somatic symptoms is an important adjunct to coming to know their own embodied experience. Two cases will be offered in which somatic symptoms provided important information that was channeled through the analytic experience as a way of making sense of what otherwise remained unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L'environnement est un concept qui permet de réinterroger la psychopathologie psychanalytique classique, à commencer par la nature du symptôme et les processus qui le structurent, puis les notions de normal et pathologique. Cet article propose ainsi les principaux axes d'une psychopathologie psychanalytique de l'environnement dans une dimension intersubjective. Nous opérons une lecture et une analyse singulières des théories de Donald W. Winnicott sur l'environnement et des concepts qui lui sont liés, en particulier la dépendance, le self , l'agressivité et la réparation. Puis nous décrivons leurs complémentarités et leurs ruptures avec les théories anglo-saxonnes, comme elles furent portées par Sándor Ferenczi, Mélanie Klein et Michael Balint. Il existe différents types de défaillances selon que l'environnement empiète affectivement et corporellement sur les besoins du nourrisson par la séduction, le tourment ou la disparition. Ce qui importe étant le moment de dépendance durant lequel elles ont lieu, générant soit une privation affective et potentiellement une organisation psychotique ou maniaco-dépressive au moment de la dépendance absolue, soit une déprivation affective et potentiellement une organisation antisociale au moment de la dépendance relative. Les défaillances de l'environnement (Winnicott) peuvent ainsi se retrouver complémentaires aux positions paranoïde-schizoïde et dépressive (Klein), comme aux concepts d'ocnophilie et de philobatisme (Balint). Le concept d'environnement montre également combien c'est la motricité qui constitue une expérience intersubjective dans la construction du self. Chez les parents, elle se manifeste avant tout dans le maintien ordinaire, chez le nourrisson, dans l'agressivité à l'origine de son geste spontané, tout à la fois destructeur et créateur, puis plus largement réparateur dans les environnements familial et social. La régression à la dépendance pourra devenir nécessaire à l'exploration d'expériences primaires inhérentes à l'ensemble individu-environnement et avoir une fonction de réintégration intersubjective. L'esquisse pour une psychopathologie psychanalytique de l'environnement est donc pertinente pour interpréter les souffrances du self comme des « troubles » intersubjectifs et analyser les cas cliniques de régression à la dépendance dans la situation analytique. The environment is a concept that allows us to re-examine classical psychoanalytic psychopathology, starting with the nature of the symptom and the processes that structure it, then the notions of the normal and the pathological. This article thus proposes the main axes of a psychoanalytic psychopathology of the environment in an intersubjective dimension. We carry out a singular reading and analysis of Donald W. Winnicott's theories on the environment and the concepts related to it, in particular dependence, the self, aggressiveness, and repair. Then we describe their complementarities and their breaks with Anglo-Saxon theories, as developed by Sándor Ferenczi, Melanie Klein, and Michael Balint. There are different types of failures depending on whether the environment impinges affectively and bodily on the needs of the infant through seduction, torment, or disappearance. What matters is the moment of dependence during which they take place, generating either potentially a psychotic or manic-depressive organization at the moment of absolute dependence, or potentially an antisocial organization at the moment of relative dependence. The failures of the environment (Winnicott) can thus be considered complementary to the paranoid-schizoid and depressive positions (Klein), as well as to the concepts of ocnophilia and philobatism (Balint). The concept of environment also shows how motor skills constitute an important intersubjective experience in the construction of the self. In parents, this manifests itself above all in ordinary holding; in infants, in the aggressiveness at the origin of their spontaneous gestures, both destructive and creative, then becoming more broadly restorative in the family and social environments. Regression to dependence may become necessary for the exploration of primary experiences inherent to the individual-environment dyad, and may also have a function of intersubjective reintegration. This sketch for a psychoanalytic psychopathology of the environment is therefore relevant for interpreting the sufferings of the self as intersubjective "disorders" and for analyzing clinical cases of regression to dependence in the analytic situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: While some patients suffering from medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) benefit from psychological treatment, others do not. The aim of this study was to analyse both quantitative and qualitative data of four patients with MUPS (two improvers and two nonimprovers) after multicomponent treatment to find an explanation for the outcome differences. Method: Two improvers and two nonimprovers were contrasted within the explanatory sequential mixed method design. Quantitative prepost data from multiple outcome measures were combined with semistructured interviews. Findings: The analysis revealed two key processes that differentiated improvers from nonimprovers: (1) implementing lifestyle changes and (2) receiving environmental support. Furthermore, interoceptive awareness and emotional regulation may be two other important processes seen in quantitative data but not identified by patients. Conclusion: The findings of this study offer an understanding of the different impacts of selected change mechanisms in patients with MUPS, which may help clinicians deliberately aim to focus on important areas of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Revista Electrónica de Psicología Iztacala is the property of Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The authors of this article have created a unique technique based on their experience working with patients in both general hospital and private setting. The technique, called the Body Atom, is based on Moreno’s idea of the social atom and the theories developed by L’Institut de Psychosomatique Pierre Marty for understanding the origins and progression of psychosomatic diseases. The Body Atom was applied to hospitalized patients with cardiological diseases and patients with endometriosis in a private practice setting. Both groups responded positively to implementing the Body Atom, which helped them understand their personal experiences and relate them to their illnesses and body parts.

This article discusses the use of projective methods (introduced by Lawrence K. Frank) while working with clients with psychosomatic disorders. In particular the use of the Positive and Transcultural Psychotherapy method (PPT) is presented. PPT provides tools to explore hidden aspects of the client’s personality and conflicts, aiming to ensure a balanced therapeutic process. We will demonstrate great synergy achieved by combining projective methods with the five-step strategy, PPT and balance model.

The purpose of this report is to report on the benefits of using the method of Nossrat Peseschkian, modified by Professor Ivanka Boncheva and applied by her students in a medical environment and especially in the training of medical students. More than ten years of experience working with medical students and applying the postulates of positive psychotherapy help to acquire skills and understand the difference between simply asking questions and getting answers and the skill of “ therapeutic listening”. Understanding transference and countertransference relationships. The concept of the psychosomatic arc is also used to explain the complex relationships between illness and emotion.

This article is devoted to the actual problems of psychosomatic medicine. Common myths are discussed, according to which only 7 psychosomatic diseases are known (restrictive interpretation), or alternatively, all human diseases are psychosomatic (expansive interpretation). The article presents a modern classification of psychosomatic disorders, information on predisposition to them, and highlights the main concepts of pathogenesis. Attention is devoted to the main forms of somatoform disorders, organic neuroses, nosogenic disorders, and the problem of hypochondria is illuminated. In this article attention is paid to the need for an integrated approach to the treatment of psychosomatic disorders, including the impact on both mental and somatic components. The requirements for the use of psychopharmacological drugs in psychosomatic medicine are given, emphasis is placed on the principle of «minimum sufficiency», which requires the use of minor doses of safe drugs that can cure the psychosomatic symptoms and are capable to treat the diagnosed mental disorders. The main non-drug methods aimed at correcting psychosomatic disorders are presented. The authors are convinced that in the field of psychosomatics the chances for successful diagnosis and therapy are given by the concept of «counter movement» – the interdisciplinary interaction of psychiatrists and internists, the essence of which is the urgent need for interdisciplinary cooperation of psychiatrists and internists, which increases the chances of successful assistance in such a complex and myth-rich field like psychosomatics.

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Aspects of hypnosis and its application in psychotherapy, psychosomatics and medicine are examined and contextualized in the 250-year history of hypnosis. Imagination as an essential element of hypnotic treatments appeared as early as 1784 as an argument rejecting the theory of animal magnetism of Franz Anton Mesmer. In somnambulism of German romanticism, another proto-form of hypnosis after 1800, concepts of the mind–body problem were dealt with, which still characterize the understanding of unconscious mental processes today. Hypnosis was at the beginning of psychoanalysis, but was not pursued further by Sigmund Freud from 1900 onwards. Nevertheless, there were some hypnoanalytical approaches in the 20th century, as well as attempts to integrate hypnosis into behavior therapy. Techniques of imagination and relaxation combine both; in particular findings from cognitive psychology explain processes of both hypnosis and cognitive behavioral therapy. The influence of social psychology brought a new perspective to the debate about the nature of hypnosis, which continues to this day: is hypnosis to be understood as a special state of consciousness or is it a completely normal, mundane interaction? The experiments that were carried out to support one side or the other were also dependent on the hypnotizability of the subjects involved, as the more difficult hypnotic phenomena such as paralysis, hallucinations or identity delusions can only be demonstrated by highly hypnotizable subjects. The fact that these are not mere compliance reactions has now been proven by many studies using imaging techniques. But even those who are moderately hypnotizable benefit from hypnosis rituals. Variables postulated by socio-cognitive hypnosis researchers, such as motivation and expectation, are relevant, as is a good “hypnotic rapport.” Practical application of hypnotherapy today is characterized by the innovative techniques and strategies developed by Milton H. Erickson. Research into the effectiveness of hypnosis in the field of psychotherapy and psychosomatics still leaves much to be done. The situation is different in the field of medical hypnosis, where there are considerably more studies with a satisfactory design and verifiable effects. However, the impact in practical application in everyday medical practice is still low. Newer developments such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence are being looked at with critical interest.

The theme arose from the problems encountered when working at the Psychotherapy Clinic. The theoretical framework addresses aspects of Phenomenology and Phenomenological Psychology, as well as Psychosomatics, its historical perspective and reading in the Phenomenological clinic. The main objective is to investigate the contributions to the practice of the Humanistic Existential Phenomenological approach in cases of Psychosomatic patients. As specific objectives, it aims to understand how existential aspects and understanding the essence of being affect psychosomatic processes. Analyze how to carry out phenomenological psychotherapeutic intervention in cases of psychosomatic patients. The results are presented in the form of a flowchart and table, as well as a discussion of the content found in the articles. It is considered relevant to improve studies on the relationship between Psychology and Phenomenology, as well as how to use them as an intervention method in Psychotherapy. It is suggested that the topic be explored further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a multifaceted condition, and many women live with CPP without receiving any explanation for their complex symptoms. A multimodal approach including physiotherapy is the recommended treatment. To increase the limited knowledge of what is beneficial in physiotherapy, this article aims to explore women's experiences of Norwegian psychomotor physiotherapy (NPMP) as treatment for CPP. This qualitative study is based on in-depth interviews with eight women undergoing CPP. The concept of embodiment underpins the entire research project, and the analysis of the participants' experiences builds on a phenomenological approach. Three final themes embrace the participants' experiences of change after NPMP treatment: experiencing their body in new ways, letting go of tension, and understanding their symptoms. Through treatment, the participants moved from keeping bodily sensations at a distance towards increased bodily self-awareness. They realised that their state of tension was linked to their emotional life and stress was revealed as a trigger of bodily reactions they related to their symptoms. Positive bodily sensations were essential for the participants to let signals from their body guide their actions in a change process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fact that endometriosis is one of the most frequent gynaecological disorders in women and girls is gradually attracting greater public and political attention. There is also substantial awareness of the disorder among German gynaecologists, albeit without sufficient "equipment" for discussing the condition with patients and providing psychological counselling. This article offers hands-on proposals for medical counselling and the discussion of relevant issues, as well as other practical tips and suggested verbalisations for use by women suffering from endometriosis (and their partners). These practical recommendations will certainly help to improve the doctor–patient relationship in the case of endometriosis. The resources mentioned below (guidebooks, websites) focus on German-language offerings only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Knowledge about critical success factors underpinning beneficial treatment outcomes in psychosomatic inpatient rehabilitation is scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of patients' epistemic stance in relation to the improvement of psychological distress during rehabilitation. In this naturalistic longitudinal observational study, n = 771 patients completed routine assessments for psychological distress (BSI-18), health-related quality of life (HRQOL; WHODAS), and epistemic trust (ETMCQ) before (T1) and after (T2) psychosomatic rehabilitation. Patients were grouped as best, average, and worst responders based on their mean BSI-18 changes during treatment, and their mean change in epistemic trust, mistrust, and credulity was compared using repeated measures analyses of variance (rANOVAs). No associations of performance with sex (p = 0.09), age (p = 0.11), or relationship status (p = 0.58) were found. Best responders reported significantly improved epistemic trust (p = 0.001) and reduced epistemic mistrust (p < 0.001), whereas worst responders reported a significant increase in epistemic mistrust (p < 0.001) and credulity (p < 0.001). Average responders did not change for either epistemic trust (p = 0.11), mistrust (p > 0.99), or credulity (p = 0.96). Our results underscore the role of the epistemic stance in psychosomatic and psychotherapeutic treatments. These results help to better understand what might determine psychosomatic rehabilitation outcomes and indicate the role of epistemic trust as a critical success factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Somatic Experiencing (SE)®, as developed by Peter A. Levine, will be presented as a basic neuropsychological concept that is suitable in particular for the treatment of trauma-related disorders and psychosomatic illnesses, as it works directly with the symptoms of trauma-related dysregulation in the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which can find expression in multiple levels of experience. Through various techniques and a mindful, targeted use of interventions – both activating and calming – the innate self-regulating abilities of the ANS are restored and strengthened, in order to help process and integrate what has been experienced. Basic neurological principles as well as SE intervention techniques will be described, and the interplay of these techniques will be illustrated in three case studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This contribution aims to reflect on some of the negative effects of the pandemic on the psyche of young adults. Much has been written about adolescents and their sufferings, while relatively little has been said about the conditions of young adults (19-29 years old), except to emphasise the worsening precariousness of their existence in economic terms: many European and non-European studies point to the serious decrease in job opportunities, the almost total absence of any form of economic protection, the abandonment of university studies for many of them, and the impending deterioration of general living conditions, which risks having a heavy impact on the quality of life of their generation. Already before the end of 2020, a survey conducted by Eurofond reported that the under-35 population was the most exposed to the risk of post-Covid depression, which is why it is not surprising that mental health professionals have seen a dramatic increase in requests for help from this segment of the population compared to the previous period. Meeting, in a private context, a decidedly high number (+100% compared to the previous three-year period) of young adult patients since the beginning of the pandemic, I wondered about the possible specificity of the suffering they are carrying. The young people I am analysing (about a dozen at present) appear to be afflicted by a sort of psychic long-covid, the effects of which range from a paralysis of the will (a sort of dangerous and entangling oblomovism) to the manifestation of extremely relevant and often disabling levels of anxiety (mainly expressed through panic attacks and somatic symptoms) to the adoption of more distinctly psychopathological behaviour (e.g. related to eating disorders, self-harm, drug use). The difficulty in facing and mentalising emotions is worsened by an experience of 'nostalgia for the future', which makes it very hard to progress in the work of analysis, and for which it is often necessary to consider supportive pharmacological therapy. Starting from an analysis of the recent literature on the subject, and with the support of some clinical vignettes, we aim to focus on some of the specific aspects of the suffering experienced by young adults, which, apart from evident individual differences, presents common traits to reflect on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescence is a very important stage. Many psychological conflicts appear at this time of life. Several biological characteristics are defined in this period. Teenagers have to adapt to many social changes. All these changes have psychosomatic effects. This theoretical work aims to present an integrative biopsychosocial model for the approach of psychosomatics in adolescence. Engel's biopsychosocial model (1977) will be used as an integrating construct, which allows a broad perspective to address the condition, and places the subjective perspective involved in the production of symptoms at the center. It will be taken the updated proposal of Borrel I Carrió (2002) that points out the need to think about biopsychosocial factors from circular and structural causalities. Circular causality refers to relationships between different dimensions without analyzing the greater or lesser importance of these dimensions. On the other hand structural causality is aimed at analyzing which concept or category has a greater predominance or hierarchy in the process of producing symptoms. The authors also propose to support this biopsychosocial model of psychosomatic in adolescence from three levels. A first theoretical level, where a theoretical synthesis will be offered through the narrative review of the selected conceptual perspectives, such as: a) the emotions perspectives (Sánchez-García, 2013); b) the biopsychosocial model (Allen & Woolfolk, 2006) pertaining to cognitive-behavioral and affective therapy; c) some contributions from the Paris Psychosomatic School (Marty et al, 1968); d) concepts belonging to the Chicago Psychosomatic School (Alexander, 1950; Dumbars, 1943); e) positions from the field of stress studies (Brosschot et al., 2005; Kobasa, 1979); f) proposals in the psychosomatic approach of Donald Winnicott (1965), and g) concepts corresponding to the psychosomatic family model of systemic family therapy (Minuchin & Fischman, 1979; Onnis, 1990). A second instance will support the biopsychosocial model through an extract of elements present in adolescence as a stage of development, in which the biopsychosocial character of the multidimensional changes of this period will be visualized. In a third moment, through a panoramic review, a group of empirical studies from the last five years will be visualized, highlighting the need for a biopsychosocial model in the integrative approach to psychosomatics in adolescence. From a theoretical point of view, the need to take into account the complex articulation of different perspectives on biopsychosocial dimensions involved in the production of symptoms is corroborated. It is also verified that adolescence is a stage of multiple biological, psychological and social changes, and that the complex and contradictory nature of this period is of paramount importance in the appearance of symptoms in the body. Depending on each theory and its fundamental concepts, some categories will have greater explanatory power than others, but a comprehensive view requires different concepts to be related. Finally, the different empirical studies of the selected period justify the need to build a biopsychosocial model of the symptoms, which takes personality, family context, interpersonal relationships and comorbidity processes as fundamental categorical axes. At the three levels of support of the model (theoretical, stage of development and empirical studies), the need to understand psychosomatic manifestations through the interaction of the circular and the structural causes in the production of symptoms was demonstrated. A biopsychosocial model of the psychosomatic that tries to integrate contributions from different schools and empirical studies requires flexibility in the theoretical discussion and organization in the establishment of categories for understanding the symptom in the global structure of the subject. Adolescence as a stage of psychic development requires, from its complexity, an integrative approach that avoids the exclusion of theories in which there are important spaces of compatibility, and collect the largest number of empirical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Psychological treatments for patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) reduce somatic symptom severity only moderately. However, patients may profit from changes other than that of symptom reduction. The aim of the present study was to capture the changes that patients with MUPS experience after a multicomponent group-based treatment. Semistructured interviews with 30 patients with MUPS were undertaken after the treatment. Thematic analysis was used to identify the changes the patients reported. The changes included developing a different view of their somatic symptoms, learning how to fulfill their needs, modifying their lifestyle, and becoming open to painful experiences. The patients also noted changes in their somatic symptoms and their quality of life. Multicomponent treatment helps patients with MUPS achieve a variety of changes that reach beyond physical symptoms reduction. Patients' symptoms often worsen after a return to normal life, which calls for continual care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic many employees perform under increasingly digital conditions. Enabling home office environments became mandatory for companies wherever possible in consideration of the ongoing pandemic. Simultaneously, studies reported on digital stress. The current literature lacks rigorous research into digital stress on psychosomatic outcomes, emotions, and disease. Therefore, we endeavor to understand how digital stress developed over the course of the pandemic and if it predicts differences in negative emotions and physical complaints in the home office setting. To answer the research question, we conducted an online survey among 441 employees in 2020 and 398 employees in 2022 from three municipal administrations in Germany, who were working from home at least occasionally. We used a cluster analysis to detect digitally stressed employees. Regression analyses were performed on digital stress, negative emotions, and physical complaints. The analysis revealed an increase from 9 to 20% in digital stress, while negative emotions and physical complaints did not show evident differences. In the multivariate model, we observe a change in the proportion of digitally stressed employees between 4 and 17%, while the control variables explain around 9%. Digital stress did not significantly affect either negative emotions or physical complaints. However, digital stress appeared to exert a more substantial predictive influence on negative emotions. The study emphasizes rising digital stress, which contradicts a positive adaption to the digital working conditions within the observed period. The psychosomatic relations are low or lagged. Further research investigating digital stress and countermeasures, especially to understand how to prevent harmful long-term effects such as distress resulting from working from home conditions, is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We shall consider the possibility of using virtual reality (VR) technologies in the treatment of phobias, psychosomatic disorders, and other psychophysical conditions. The challenge of augmenting patients’ mental treatment by means of VR technologies is quite relevant in the field of psychology. A new way is quickly developing in the search for better methods of diagnosis, amelioration of anxiety and other conditions, as well as the identification of human characteristics. This new method can be characterized as deep immersion in virtual reality. This provides an opportunity to work with psychosomatics and phobias through virtual reality.

The editorial in Psychotherapy & Psychosomatics highlights the journal's top impact factor and its focus on original investigations in psychology. The journal emphasizes a strong clinical orientation and seeks innovative research at the intersection of medicine and behavioral sciences. It supports diverse viewpoints and addresses a wide range of clinical issues, particularly in psychiatry, psychology, psychotherapy, and psychosomatic medicine. [Extracted from the article]

ABSTRACTBackground Due to the COVID-19 pandemic many employees perform under increasingly digital conditions. Enabling home office environments became mandatory for companies wherever possible in consideration of the ongoing pandemic. Simultaneously, studies reported on digital stress. The current literature lacks rigorous research into digital stress on psychosomatic outcomes, emotions, and disease. Therefore, we endeavor to understand how digital stress developed over the course of the pandemic and if it predicts differences in negative emotions and physical complaints in the home office setting.Methods To answer the research question, we conducted an online survey among 441 employees in 2020 and 398 employees in 2022 from three municipal administrations in Germany, who were working from home at least occasionally. We used a cluster analysis to detect digitally stressed employees. Regression analyses were performed on digital stress, negative emotions, and physical complaints.Results The analysis revealed an increase from 9 to 20% in digital stress, while negative emotions and physical complaints did not show evident differences. In the multivariate model, we observe a change in the proportion of digitally stressed employees between 4 and 17%, while the control variables explain around 9%.Conclusions Digital stress did not significantly affect either negative emotions or physical complaints. However, digital stress appeared to exert a more substantial predictive influence on negative emotions. The study emphasizes rising digital stress, which contradicts a positive adaption to the digital working conditions within the observed period. The psychosomatic relations are low or lagged. Further research investigating digital stress and countermeasures, especially to understand how to prevent harmful long-term effects such as distress resulting from working from home conditions, is needed.

The article describes the empirical research of the features of stress coping behavior in patients with newly diagnosed oncopathology. The author's attention is directed to the analysis of the chronic social stress impact on the psychological state of women with cancer due to its relevance in modern social conditions. The article highlights the hypothesis that the effectiveness of stress coping behavior and the general psychological state of patients are closely related to the quality and specificity of provided psychological support. Particular attention is paid to the study of the connection between individual strategies for stress coping and social factors, in particular, family support, dealing with friends and medical personnel. The research is based on an interdisciplinary approach, including knowledge from medicine, psychology, sociology, and other fields for a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of stress coping behavior in patients with oncology and the development of a comprehensive support strategy considering a wide range of factors: from individual characteristics to social living conditions. The conclusions of the empirical study are important for the practice of medical psychology and further research in the field of psycho-oncology.

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Background. Alexithymia is traditionally regarded as a factor which influences the development of psychosomatic diseases and contribute to a more severe and prolonged course of somatic diseases the high level of alexithymia indicates the deficit in cognitive processes associated with awareness, exteriorization and regulation of feelings and emotions. In recent years, a lot of research has been conducted on the comorbidity of alexithymia and psychosomatic diseases in adults, but there are very few studies in relation to children and adolescents.The aim. To analyze psychosomatic diseases associated with the high level of alexithymia in adolescents, to study the correspondence of alexithymia and central sensitization (CS) in adolescents with primary headaches (migraine and tension-type headache).Methods. The diagnosis of headache was based on the criteria for the International Classification of Headache, 3rd edition. The study group included 84 adolescents, average age – 14 [13; 16] (51 females, 33 males). CS was assessed using the Russian version of “Central Sensitization Inventory” (2020) for adolescents. Alexithymia was assessed using the Russian version of “Alexithymia questionnaire for children” (2019). Headache intensity was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale. There were also assessed the number of months and days per month with headaches; duration of night sleep; age of phrasal speech start.Results and discussion. The results showed the direct correlation between levels of alexithymia and central sensitization (rS = 0.49; p = 0.00001), the number of days with headaches per month and central sensitization severity (rS = 0.24; p = 0.027). There was no significant correlation between alexithymia severity and headaches duration (rS= 0.06; p = 0.5), no reliable results on the correspondence of alexithymia severity, age of phrasal speech start and nocturnal sleep.Conclusion. A high level of alexithymia is observed in adolescents with various somatic diseases. Primary headaches are associated with a high level of alexithymia and the severity of central sensitization. Pediatricians and neurologists should be advised to assess the level of alexithymia and central sensitization in adolescents with headaches.

To compare the extent to which value-based life attitudes measured by means of the Life Attitude Profile (LAP-R) could differ between the general population and people suffering from mental disorders hospitalized in a psychosomatic ward. Cross-sectional comparative study between a sample of general population (n = 409) and a sample of unselected patients (n = 147) at admission in a psychosomatic ward. Comparisons were carried out by means of Cronbach's alpha, correlation matrix, t-tests, robust multivariate linear regression models (MLRM), and using propensity scores. The internal consistency of LAP-R is good (alpha = 0.90). Divergent validity with BFI dimensions is widely given. In MLRM general population scored higher for the indexes 'personal meaning' and 'existential transcendence', whereas psychosomatic patients for the dimensions 'responsibleness', 'death acceptance', 'goal seeking' and especially 'existential vacuum'. Sex, partnership and schooling display few associations. Neuroticism is negatively and agreeableness positively associated with life attitudes considered as protective. Norm values and differences were stratified by age ranges. This study demonstrates that basic human attitudes like personal transcendence, personal meaning, having a biographically supported mission in life, and belief in a reason for existence are so fundamental for individuals that they are to some degree given independently of having a mental disorder or not. Neuroticism is a risk trait and agreeableness a protective trait facing life attitudes. The findings of this study indicate that people suffering from mental disorders treated in a specialized psychosomatic unit in a general hospital have important value-based resources and simultaneously higher levels of existential vacuum that have to be considered in treatment planning but should also be embedded in a therapeutic alliance. The existential vacuum deserves special consideration in the treatment of patients, especially facing risk of suicide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]