The link between emotions and illness: When the words we don’t say make us sick

Psychosomatic disorders are pathologies in which physical symptoms are directly related to, and difficult to distinguish from, emotional states.

In an interview with El Litoral, psychologist Karen Basabilbaso (Mat.1679) explores the intriguing world of psychosomatic illness, revealing the link between emotions and physical health. With extensive experience in the field, professionals provide comprehensive and in-depth insights into how psychological and emotional aspects directly affect physical symptoms.

Bassabil Basso defines psychosomatic disorders as those in which physical symptoms are intrinsically linked to emotional experiences. These conditions, he explained, “arise from a complex interplay between psychology, neuroscience, and the immune and endocrine systems.”

The psychologist sheds light on how this link affects multiple disorders: “If we talk about psychological and emotional factors that can lead to the development of psychosomatic disorders, how many kinds of them can we say? People. Stressors or triggers are very subjective , but broadly we can think of it as what encompasses them, what people carry over time that causes them to suffer and go untreated. The work environment can create discomfort, interpersonal or interpersonal Relationships. All of these are triggers or stressors that, if sustained for a period of time, can lead to pathology in the physical order.”

The professional emphasized, “According to psychoneuroimmunology, all diseases have multiple causes, and stress is a key factor in triggering low-grade chronic inflammation. This kind of stress, whether caused by prolonged emotional conditions or physical exhaustion, Both can lead to imbalances in the body and produce chronic inflammation, which has been recognized as a common basis of various diseases, including psychosomatic diseases.

At the center of the discussion was epigenetics, the science that shows how habits and quality of life affect gene expression. Bassabil Basso emphasized that having a genetic predisposition does not mean that a person will develop certain diseases. Instead, lifestyle, stress management, and emotional health can regulate gene expression.

“If I don’t keep track of my stress, I won’t manage it, and I’ll have unhealthy habits all my life, and logically, if I’m predisposed, this gene might be activated and eventually expressed. So I don’t because I My father has diabetes but it’s because my father has diabetes and I have this gene but due to my habits and lifestyle I tend to activate the gene. The opposite can happen as well, I try to adjust my life ways, maintain healthy habits, manage stress, take care of your emotions, but this gene is never exposed,” the psychologist explained.

One of the basic premises emphasized by professionals is the need for an integrated approach to the diagnosis and treatment of psychosomatic disorders. He insists that “addressing the physical and emotional aspects of the problem is critical to achieving sustainable and effective outcomes.” Bassa Bill Basso recommends a collaboration between mental health professionals and treating physicians to ensure that the emotional and physical aspects of the illness are addressed source.

Respondents spoke of the possibility of ameliorating or even reversing psychosomatic disorders through comprehensive treatment.

“This type of pathology is usually divided into chronic non-communicable diseases, such as: hypertension, gastritis, acne, migraine, cancer, etc. The aim of comprehensive treatment should not only be to mask the symptoms with drugs, but also to be able to spheres come into play, the emotional roots of the conflicts that lead to the disorder. If we do this, chronic diseases will cease to be chronic diseases,” concluded the psychologist.