Generally somatization is a little-known word. Even in consultation, when we use the term somatization, the patient asks us what it is, what does it mean? What does that mean ? Why ? Where ? It wasn't me !! And it adds stress and fears on other issues...
This ultimately says a lot about the lack of understanding of the different emotional management processes in general. And yes, every day we are overwhelmed by a lot of emotions, more or less easy to manage but we rarely take the time to sit down and think concretely about the emotion felt, this lack naturally also leads to a form of accumulation and the latter in turn leads to other problems.
Somatization is a complex phenomenon that manifests as physical symptoms without an identifiable underlying medical cause. These symptoms, although very real for the person who experiences them, cannot be explained by physiological disorders or organic diseases. Instead, they are often the result of underlying psychological or emotional factors.
Symptoms of somatization can vary greatly from person to person, ranging from widespread body pain to gastrointestinal upset, headaches, muscle pain, breathing problems, and more. These symptoms can be debilitating and have a significant impact on the quality of life of those who suffer from them.
The causes of somatization are multifactorial and can include genetic, environmental and psychological factors. Stress, trauma, anxiety disorders and depression are often associated with somatization. Individuals who have difficulty expressing or managing their emotions may also be more likely to develop somatic symptoms.
Somatization often poses a diagnostic challenge for healthcare professionals because it requires carefully ruling out any underlying medical causes while recognizing psychological factors that contribute to the symptoms. This can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment, as well as frustration for patients who feel misunderstood or stigmatized.
So yes, having a stomach ache, a headache, a back ache, it is not necessarily linked to an emotional state. Moreover, most of the time the reflex we have is to immediately want to relieve or treat the area affected by the pain without worrying about the whole thing; Back pain may be bad posture, stomach pain may be an organ that is not doing its job well. It’s interesting because most of the time we have the same reflex when it comes to somatization. Patients come for consultation because they complain of stomach aches or eczema and want to take treatment to relieve stomach aches or for the skin when ultimately the effective and wise work would be to treat what triggers this somatization.
Here we are going to do the opposite. We will first talk about emotions and we will try to zoom out and play down the somatization process to better understand it and provide useful answers.
TIPS : Learn to take a critical look at yourself. The body is logical. The brain is logical. If you feel any pain or discomfort somewhere, maybe you should ask yourself why? We are looking for a functional cause, a reason linked to the environment but in our case a better reading of oneself. The body and the brain are most of the time reacting to what we offer them. To understand how we can trigger real health problems at the bodily level, we must already understand the process of emotional management.
The emotions
A word that everyone uses, sometimes at random. Something that everyone feels but that so few people know how to fully or at least healthily manage. An emotion is joy, fear, sadness, disgust, anger and many others. This is everything we feel when we are affected by exogenous or endogenous information.
We will try to remember several essential and very important points.
1 WE ARE NOT ALL EQUAL
Some of us are much more receptive and sensitive to emotions and it's not a matter of willpower. This sensitivity can be innate or acquired, some are therefore born with a great capacity to absorb emotions and others become very sensitive due to their environment. When an emotion is imposed on us, we cannot choose to be affected or not by the emotion but depending on our will and/or ability to do so, we accept to be more or less aware of this emotion at to treat.
2 WE ARE NOT ALWAYS AWARE OF OUR EMOTIONS
So independently of our state of consciousness (which itself could depend on the intensity of the emotion) of what is happening in our brain, the emotion exists and is very present. An essential point to better manage our emotions and thus better manage somatization or at least the expression of our emotions would already be to improve and increase our state of awareness of our felt emotions and to distinguish between emotions and reality. of the situation.
3 AN EMOTION DOES NOT DISAPPEAR.
This means that this emotion takes up space in your brain
How does it work ? The brain is a brilliant muscle, endowed with billions of capacities and complexities and to allow each area to function properly it is in favor of the least effort. He will put information in a corner and not touch it again if he is not asked.
Note that the part that deals with emotions is at the heart of the brain.
This emotion therefore remains in its place but it is disturbing because it demands to be considered (treated) like a child who goes to his room but who makes noise so that people come to see him to find out what is wrong.
This is when the work of emotional management begins.
TIPS : Identify the emotion felt, target and treat the cause of the emotion by being able to distinguish the emotion from the reality of the situation. It is actually wrong to believe that over time emotions no longer pose a problem. The best solution is to be able to externalize the emotion felt, that is to say find a manual activity, of production, of creation, something which ultimately comes from within and is turned outwards. So you will use positive energy to extract a negative emotion that is costing you. Busy activities such as reading, listening to music or watching a film will be useless in the long term because by doing this you are only adding emotion to an emotion already present in you. On the other hand, if you use this strength to finally express what you feel then it becomes very useful. Like for example giving your opinion on a film or talking about your personal experience after listening to a song.
Finally Somatization
Treatment of somatization often involves a multidisciplinary approach, combining medical, psychological and social interventions. Cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and stress management can be helpful in helping individuals understand and manage their symptoms. Medications can sometimes be used to treat specific symptoms, but they are usually not a long-term solution.
It is also important to recognize and normalize somatization as a legitimate response to stress and emotions. Social support, patient education and awareness among healthcare professionals can help reduce the stigma associated with this condition and encourage holistic and compassionate treatment.
Ultimately, somatization is a poignant reminder of the deep connection between mind and body. By recognizing and treating the psychological and emotional aspects of health, it is possible to improve the overall well-being and quality of life of people who suffer from this often overlooked condition.
TIPS : Somatization can be difficult to deal with, but here are some tips that might help:
Become aware of your emotions: Identify the emotions you are feeling and try to understand how they may manifest physically.
Practice relaxation: Relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can help reduce stress and associated physical symptoms. Exercise regularly: Exercise can help release endorphins, which are hormones that reduce pain and improve mood.
Adopt a healthy lifestyle: Eat healthily, get enough sleep, and avoid harmful substances like alcohol and nicotine.
Talk to a healthcare professional: A therapist or doctor can help you understand and treat the underlying causes of somatization.
Practice mindfulness: Paying attention to the present moment can help you better manage stress and reduce physical symptoms.
Avoid focusing on symptoms: Trying not to focus too much on physical sensations can help reduce their intensity.
Find ways to relieve stress: Whether through hobbies, creative activities, or simply spending time with loved ones, look for what helps you relax and feel good.