Psychobiological Reactions on Stress and Trauma
Bob P., Vymětal J.2
Psychiatrická klinika 1. LF UK a VFN, Praha, přednosta prof. MUDr. J. Raboch, DrSc.1 Ústav pro humanitní studia v lékařství 1. LF UK, Praha, cpřednosta prof. PhDr. J. Vymětal2 |
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Summary:
Connection between psychic and somatic processes is according to tradition of renaissance and
modern European thought understood as one-sided influence of somatic processes on the mind.
Reverse movement of psychic influence on the somatic processes was until recently out of framework
of psychological and neuroscientific research. Research in these fields mainly in the last fifteen
years led to many findings about influence of human mind on somatic functions mainly the
influence of trauma and stress on pathological functioning. Main processes which play a role are
dissociation connected to disintegration of consciousness and alexithymia which leads to dysfunctions
in experiencing and sensing emotions. These psychological defense reactions emerge as a consequence
of traumatic stress and in certain cases as consequence of lasting stress without traumatic
stimuli. Traumatic stress leads to endocrine and immune dysfunctions, epileptiform
disturbances and also to alterations in gene expression. These modern psychological and neuroscientific
findings have led to emerging of new discipline called neuropsychotherapy which is able to
influence psychic or somatic health by psychotherapy inducing changes in human biological functions.
Key words:
trauma, stress, dissociation, alexithymia, neuropsychotherapy.
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