2 ms·

Is there even a difference between 'psychosomatic' and 'organic'? As far as I know we've acknowledged that the brain has significant power over the functioning

by dxhdr 12y ago

Is there even a difference between 'psychosomatic' and 'organic'? As far as I know we've acknowledged that the brain has significant power over the functioning of the body, being able to modify blood pressure as an example. Why wouldn't environmental factors be able to influence mental chemistry and functioning, which in turn influences physical fitness? Maybe I misunderstood but it seemed as though you were drawing a line between mental and physical origins of the disease and I just don't see how this is so "highly likely" or even a useful distinction. That said I think it is highly likely that we simply don't understand enough about the brain or body to say one way or another what could be causing diseases like CFS.

cpncrunch 12y ago
The difference between psychosomatic and organic is the etiology of the illness -- whether it is mainly caused/perpetuated by stress/emotions or similar. Certainly, it's possible for the brain and body to influence each other. Any severe infection will induce "sickness behaviour" for example, causing symptoms like fatigue and depression -- very similar to CFS in fact. However there is quite significant evidence that is caused by a dysregulation of the stress system, and not really much if any evidence showing an infectious etiology. Pretty much all the pathophysiology is consistent with a stress related illness, including this interferon-gamma biomarker.