The theory of body syndromes is based on the principle that, whenever an emotional trauma is present, a corresponding physical reaction will take place. These physical reactions, called body syn-
dromes, will, in turn, reflect the cause of the emotional problem, ac-
cording to the area or areas of the body that become affected by pain, pressure, or tension.
There are many examples of how the body reacts to the mind without any logic or reason. One example is the reaction to the ex- pectation of fear. The mere anticipation of a feared object or event can cause bodily changes, such as increased respiration and heart- beat, variance in body temperature, activation of the adrenal glands, and increased production of insulin by the pancreas. All of these physical changes originate from thoughts and their effects on the brain. These thoughts initiate very primitive physiological responses in certain parts of the body, which are similar to those that take place during a fight or flight reaction. These physiological responses are a carry-over from the time when man reacted to outside stimuli with his body, instead of his mind.
The modern verbal extension of the body syndromes is ex- pressed in organic language. Organic language describes an emo- tional thought that causes a physical reaction in a certain area of the body. These expressions usually take the form of little clichés re- lating to the body. For example:
a. All this responsibility gives me a pain in the neck. b. I can’t stomach that.
c. I am sick and tired of that.
d. He is carrying all the responsibility on his shoul- ders.
e. He is blinded by passion. f. This work is killing me. g. I have a blinding headache.
h. I am so confused, I can’t see straight. i. I’m losing my mind from worry.
Along with the development and evolution of language, we have constantly stimulated the body syndromes through organic language
so that, at times, thought, language, and action become one. There are five major body syndromes. Each will be described ac- cording to its physiological and its psychological symptoms.
1. CRYING SYNDROME
This first and major syndrome involves the area of the body from the solar plexus upward, covering the chest, head, and back of the neck.
The cause of the crying syndrome is the inability to make a decision, either because it is predicated on someone else’s action or because of an inability to make decisions, due to past conditioning.
Headaches are the most common characteristic of the crying syndrome. Because of frustrations from indecision, the brain signals the muscles in the scalp to tighten, causing pain. Sometimes, the tightening becomes so severe that it constricts the head, resulting in migraine headaches.
Some of the other easily recognizable symptoms of the crying syndrome are: crystallization of the eyes or relaxation of tear ducts, causing the eyes to water; sinus congestion; constriction of throat muscles; gastric pressures in the chest area; tightening of muscles in the back of the neck; canker sores in the mouth; tightening of jaw muscles or grinding of teeth.
Each one of these physical reactions can be associated with an emotional or mental cause. For instance, the head pressures represent inability to make the decision; watering eyes and sinus congestion symbolize not wanting to see the situation that is causing the indecision; constriction in the throat, tightening of jaw muscles, or grinding of teeth, result from not wanting to express anything about the area of in- decisiveness.
If improperly handled or not handled at all, indecisiveness moves into frustration, and from there, to melancholy, de- pression, and, finally, futility. Chronic indecisiveness can be classified as a major problem in today’s fast-moving society, especially among individuals aged fifteen to thirty-five.
2. RESPONSIBILITY SYNDROME
The bodily areas affected by this syndrome are the shoul-
ders, the upper back, and the upper spinal area. The psy- chological causes are too much responsibility, fear of the weight or responsibility; or neglecting; not accepting or not facing responsibility.
The physiological reaction of the responsibility syndrome is tightening of the back and shoulder muscles. In some in- stances, if excessive or rapid movement or lifting is at- tempted when these tensions are present, physical damage can be done to the back.
3. SEXUAL FRUSTRATION, OR GUILT, SYNDROME
The areas of body affected are the stomach, groin, and lower back. The psychological causes can be sexual frus- tration, religion-linked sexual guilt, guilt about infidelity, feel- ings of sexual inadequacy, and so forth.
The physical symptoms can be stomach cramps, consti- pation, acid stomach, excessive menstrual cramps or bleed- ing (or no bleeding at all), vaginal or bladder infections, prostate or testicle pressure and pain, and kidney problems. 4. FIGHT, OR REACHING, SYNDROME
The areas affected are the arms, hands, and fingers. The psychological symptoms involve the need to express with concomitant denial or suppression of that need; the inability to reach for something one desires because of a lack of feel- ings of self-worth; and a feeling of deep rejection, as a result of reaching for unattainable goals.
The physiological effects are warts or little blisters on the hands or fingers, tightening of the joints and muscles in the hands, or extremely hot or cold hands. Arthritis and rheuma- tism are related problems.
5. FLIGHT SYNDROME
This syndrome affects the area from the thighs to the feet. It indicates a need to run or escape (emotionally or physi- cally) from a particular situation or involvement. The psy- chological causes are a fear of facing certain situations because they may be painful, boredom, fear of disaster, and fear of success.
The physiological symptoms are blistering between the
toes or on the bottom of the feet, cold feet because of poor circulation, and leg pains.
At any given time, a person may be affected by one or more of the syndromes described above. For example, a headache and tight back muscles, in combination, indicate an inability to make decisions about responsibility. Tension in the back muscles and pain in the legs denote that responsibility is causing a person to want to escape from a situation that he cannot actually leave. In my opinion, most physical ailments are caused by body syndromes that remain too long without proper treatment.
Observation of your client’s physiological reactions, are reflected in body syndromes, will usually reveal the basic psychological cause. By consciously explaining the syndromes to your client, you can, in most cases, eliminate or ease the physiological distress. By sub- consciously suggesting alternatives to the psychological cause, you can generally eliminate both distress and cause.
An understanding of the body syndromes provides you with a di- agnostic approach that can be used in conjunction with all types of therapy. In addition, it helps you to recognize that the suggestive ideas that you give your client will affect, not only his mind, but also his body.