title: [Psychosomatic considerations in dysphagia].
abstract: A psychosomatic perspective reintroduces what has always been known but has become seemingly forgotten in contemporary medicine: To understand man in illness and health, social, inter- and intrapersonal considerations are of equal importance to the traditional biological concerns. The act of swallowing is discussed as a paradigm of such complex interactions. The oropharynx is a weather corner of man's non verbalized emotions. Globus sensation, dysphagia and vomiting, commonly described as being of psychosomatic origin, represent but a small part of the frequent functional disturbances of this region. The treating physician must have a special attitude in caring for the many patients with swallowing disorders. Accessibility, flexibility and a nonjudgmental approach are called for. Thus the 'helpless expert' can turn helper, a true therapist (Greek: therapon = servant) and spare the patient a long and futile Odyssey from doctor to doctor.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatrische Klinik, Kantonsspitals Luzern.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Laemmel
mesh_terms: D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004064:Digestive System / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*
vernacular_title: Psychosomatische Uberlegungen zur Dysphagie.