Psychosomatics: How childhood trauma, mentalisation and structure influence our health
Psychosomatics: How childhood trauma, mentalisation and structure influence our health
Psychosomatic illnesses are widespread and yet often misunderstood. Many people are familiar with the feeling that stressful thoughts or difficult emotions make themselves felt physically – be it through headaches, stomach problems or other symptoms. However, many people don’t realise this: The roots of these complaints can often lie deep in our childhood. This article looks at the connections between childhood trauma, the ability to mentalise and structural aspects of our personality.
What are psychosomatic illnesses?
Psychosomatic illnesses are physical complaints that have no clear organic cause, but are caused by psychological factors such as stress, anxiety or unprocessed emotions. Examples range from chronic pain to digestive problems and cardiovascular complaints. However, these symptoms are not just “imaginary” – they are real and often have a significant impact on the lives of those affected.
The role of childhood trauma
Early childhood experiences play a crucial role in the development of our physical and mental health. Children who go through traumatic experiences such as neglect, emotional abuse or other stressful experiences are often affected in the long term. Such traumas can strongly influence the nervous system and lead to a permanent hypersensitivity to stress.
These early childhood stresses often leave traces that extend into adulthood and impair our ability to deal with stress and emotions. The physical symptoms that we experience as adults are therefore often an expression of deeply rooted, unprocessed feelings from our childhood.
Mentalisation: the ability to understand oneself and others
A key aspect that is often overlooked in psychosomatic illnesses is the ability to mentalise. Mentalisation means that we are able to understand our own behaviour and the behaviour of others in terms of thoughts, feelings and intentions. This ability develops in childhood, especially through stable, supportive relationships with caregivers.
Children who have had traumatic experiences often develop a limited ability to mentalise. They have difficulties recognising and interpreting their own emotional states and those of others. As a result, they often express their emotions physically – e.g. through stomach aches when they are afraid or headaches when they are stressed. A lack of ability to mentalise can therefore be the bridge that translates psychological stress into physical symptoms.
Structure and the stability of the self
According to psychiatrist Rudolf, structural disorders are a major factor in psychosomatic illnesses. Structure refers to the basic organisation of our personality, the way we experience ourselves and the world around us. This structure is formed in childhood and is heavily dependent on how secure and stable our early relationships were.
People with structural disorders often have difficulties with self-regulation, i.e. with controlling their emotions to a healthy degree. This leads to instability in their self-image and can manifest itself in physical symptoms. A weak structure makes it difficult to cope with stress and emotional strain in a healthy way – the body then reacts as a “last resort” for unresolved inner conflicts.
Paths to growth: What helps with psychosomatic complaints?
The treatment of psychosomatic illnesses requires a holistic approach that takes into account both the physical symptoms and the underlying psychological causes. Here are some approaches that have proven successful in practice:
- Psychotherapy: Well-founded psychotherapy, particularly depth psychology-based approaches, can help to work through early childhood trauma, promote the ability to mentalise and strengthen the inner structure. The aim is to develop an understanding of one’s own emotions and behavioural patterns and to learn healthier coping strategies.
- Medical support: Close co-operation with medical specialists who have experience in the treatment of psychosomatic illnesses is essential. Sometimes medical support is also necessary to alleviate acute symptoms.
- Structure and routine in everyday life: People with structural disorders often benefit from clear routines and a stable daily structure. These help to organise the inner chaos and provide security when dealing with stressful situations.
- Specialised clinics and rehabilitation measures: For sufferers with severe psychosomatic disorders, inpatient treatment in a psychosomatic clinic can be helpful. These facilities offer an interdisciplinary setting that combines medical, psychotherapeutic and social aspects.
Conclusion
Psychosomatic illnesses are complex and require serious, comprehensive treatment. They are often the visible sign of invisible wounds from childhood that have not healed. By better understanding the connections between body and mind, we can take more targeted and effective action to achieve long-term growth and well-being.
The key to growth does not lie in superficial methods, but in a deep examination of one’s own feelings, the promotion of mentalisation skills and the development of a stable inner structure. Psychosomatic illnesses remind us how closely our physical and emotional well-being are linked – and that growth is always possible if we are prepared to tackle the underlying causes.