[Psychosomatics, psychotherapy and neuronal plasticity--how words change our mind].
Certain psychosomatic disorders such as chronic psychosomatic pain, phobias and other anxiety disorders as well as depression are often stress-related but may also be acquired by learning associated with traumatic experience. As learning is based on changes in neuronal networks, the brain will be altered in these diseases. In turn, brain structure and function may also be influenced and even changed by effective psychotherapy as well as by other (behavioural) cognitive interventions--words and thoughts--when leading to cognitive restructuring. Due to their neuronal plasticity our brains are capable of constantly rewiring themselves so that we can--in Andreasen's words--"literally change our mind".
Rüegg
Johann Caspar
JC
Institut für Physiologie und Pathophysiologie der Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Deutschland. Caspar.Rueegg@gmx.de
D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000503:physiopathology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D059408:Pain Management; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011613:Psychotherapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome