In most cases, diet, laxatives, enemas and massage are used for all practical purposes. But constipation, especially in obesity, may be the manifestation of a deep emotional disturbance. Uncovering the unconscious conflicts often achieves excellent results-both for the constipation and the obesity. Many people who have used laxatives for years have been able to go without them as soon as they learn, by psychotherapy, what is wrong with them.
Constipation is only one-and often not even the most significant-manifestation of an emotional disturbance. A reorientation of the total personality will often cure constipation and will often cure the causes of obesity at the same time.
One of the most important factors in the genesis of the clinical syndrome of diabetes is obesity. However, obesity, in itself, cannot actually be considered a cause of diabetes, as only about five per cent of obese persons develop diabetes. But there is ample evidence to show that obesity does actually produce an increased demand for insulin.
When the pancreatic capacity is adequate, according to Dr. Alexander, the increased demand for insulin is compensated for. "In these obese patients," says Dr. Alexander, "in whom the rate of insulin destruction or utilization is excessive and beyond the use of the regulatory mechanism, a relative insulin insufficiency, and eventually, diabetes, will develop. Overeating is usually the result of some disturbance in the emotional development of the individual. Consequently, psychological factors are etiologically important in those patients who develop diabetes mellitus in consequence of overeating."
Of course, diabetes may develop from many other causes. And obesity, emotionally, is dangerous in itself, as well as because of what it may bring about.
Every organic symptom has an emotional significance of which the ego takes advantage for the relief of emotional annoyance. Being fat takes care of a lot of emotional troubles. The fat person hides behind his fat. He blames his superfluous weight for a lot of things. So, once he becomes normal in weight, he has a new problem. He has new responsibilities. He has nothing to hide behind! He wants to be slender-but often he is too neurotic to accept slenderness.
A person may become slender, physically, after much dieting and trouble, and still remain ill, psychologically. That is why so many people diet and get thin-and then get even fatter, once their dieting days are over. To become slender and remain slender, the obese person-the ill person-must be well psychologically as well as physically.
The psychosomatic approach to obesity means that the fat person cannot divide his problem into physical and mental states. He must be treated by teamwork-co-operation that treats both mental and physical ailments.
The fat person with a psychosomatic basis for obesity will get thin, and stay thin, when he knows himself. When he is able to express his pent-up hostile emotions, or gets over his reasons for feeling guilty. Then he can get over wanting to be fat-a subconscious wanting. He will no longer want to hide behind fat, but will want to be himself, and take his place in the world as a well-balanced and efficient person.
The well-adjusted person who was once fat will still enjoy eating. But eating will no longer be one of the most important things in the world. Eating will take its rightful place, for nourishment, for enjoyment. But the well person will no longer eat for escape-either because the eating for pleasure is a substitute for other things, or because the actual fat is necessary as a screen. And the well-adjusted person will stay slender, both because his metabolism will be more nearly normal, and because food will take its necessary place in his life.
How to become well adjusted? That may be a job for a psychiatrist, or a trained psychologist. Or a person may be able to analyze himself, once his physical adjustment has been made. But there must be two adjustments -one mental and the other physical. For many people, only through a psychosomatic approach can a real success in reduction be secured.
By Kristina Mac
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9787044
Constipation is only one-and often not even the most significant-manifestation of an emotional disturbance. A reorientation of the total personality will often cure constipation and will often cure the causes of obesity at the same time.
One of the most important factors in the genesis of the clinical syndrome of diabetes is obesity. However, obesity, in itself, cannot actually be considered a cause of diabetes, as only about five per cent of obese persons develop diabetes. But there is ample evidence to show that obesity does actually produce an increased demand for insulin.
When the pancreatic capacity is adequate, according to Dr. Alexander, the increased demand for insulin is compensated for. "In these obese patients," says Dr. Alexander, "in whom the rate of insulin destruction or utilization is excessive and beyond the use of the regulatory mechanism, a relative insulin insufficiency, and eventually, diabetes, will develop. Overeating is usually the result of some disturbance in the emotional development of the individual. Consequently, psychological factors are etiologically important in those patients who develop diabetes mellitus in consequence of overeating."
Of course, diabetes may develop from many other causes. And obesity, emotionally, is dangerous in itself, as well as because of what it may bring about.
Every organic symptom has an emotional significance of which the ego takes advantage for the relief of emotional annoyance. Being fat takes care of a lot of emotional troubles. The fat person hides behind his fat. He blames his superfluous weight for a lot of things. So, once he becomes normal in weight, he has a new problem. He has new responsibilities. He has nothing to hide behind! He wants to be slender-but often he is too neurotic to accept slenderness.
A person may become slender, physically, after much dieting and trouble, and still remain ill, psychologically. That is why so many people diet and get thin-and then get even fatter, once their dieting days are over. To become slender and remain slender, the obese person-the ill person-must be well psychologically as well as physically.
The psychosomatic approach to obesity means that the fat person cannot divide his problem into physical and mental states. He must be treated by teamwork-co-operation that treats both mental and physical ailments.
The fat person with a psychosomatic basis for obesity will get thin, and stay thin, when he knows himself. When he is able to express his pent-up hostile emotions, or gets over his reasons for feeling guilty. Then he can get over wanting to be fat-a subconscious wanting. He will no longer want to hide behind fat, but will want to be himself, and take his place in the world as a well-balanced and efficient person.
The well-adjusted person who was once fat will still enjoy eating. But eating will no longer be one of the most important things in the world. Eating will take its rightful place, for nourishment, for enjoyment. But the well person will no longer eat for escape-either because the eating for pleasure is a substitute for other things, or because the actual fat is necessary as a screen. And the well-adjusted person will stay slender, both because his metabolism will be more nearly normal, and because food will take its necessary place in his life.
How to become well adjusted? That may be a job for a psychiatrist, or a trained psychologist. Or a person may be able to analyze himself, once his physical adjustment has been made. But there must be two adjustments -one mental and the other physical. For many people, only through a psychosomatic approach can a real success in reduction be secured.
By Kristina Mac
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9787044
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