Pathologies of the Mind/Body Interface : Exploring the Curious Domain of the Psychosomatic Disorders

Patients suffering from psychosomatic disorders represent a formidable challenge. Psychosomatic disorders are common, and account for substantial personal discomfort, unnecessary medical expenditures, socioeconomic loss, and disability. They are challenging to diagnose, treat, and are rarely completely cured. Furthermore, they often provoke strong negative reactions from family, friends, and caregivers, who are unable to fathom their inconsistencies. Currently, little is known as to how they develop or why their symptoms tend to transform over time. In Pathologies of the Mind/Body Interface, Richard Kradin, a medical internist, pulmonologist, and psychoanalyst at a large Harvard hospital, examines the historical, philosophical, cultural, psychological, and neurobiological factors that contribute to the development of psychosomatic disorders. He focuses on the role that developmental stress and attachment disorders appear to play in increasing the risk of developing psychosomatic symptoms, and advises medical practitioners and psychologists on how to diagnose and treat them. Dr. Kradin suggests areas of importance for future medical and psychological research into the causes and treatments of these debilitating disorders. Unlike Other Texts On The Subject, This Book Aims To Provide A Well-integrated Approach To The Diagnosis And Treatment Of The Pervasive Effects Of The Mind/body Splitting That Lead To Somatoform Disorders. Kradin Explores The Spectrum Of Currently Recognized Disorders With Reference To The Dsm-v Formulations, As Well As The Medical, Psychobiological, Psychodynamic, And Cognitive-behavioral Approaches To These Disorders. Additionally, He Explores The Role Of Developmental Trauma In Pathogenesis, And How Stress, Modulation, Body-oriented Therapies, Jungian-oriented Embodied Imaginal Work, And Psychopharmacological Interventions Can Be Integrated In The Treatment Of These Disorders--provided By Publisher. Richard L. Kradin. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.