The inner representation of the diseased organ of the body and the symbolic representation of a conflict-laden object relationship

Journal/Book: Psychother Psychosom Med Psyc. 1997; 47: P O Box 30 11 20, D-70451 Stuttgart, Germany. Georg Thieme Verlag. 394-402.

Abstract: Psychoanalytic-psychosomatic hypotheses assume, among other things, that patients with psychosomatic diseases tend to represent conflict-laden object relationship experiences symbolically in the diseased organ of the body. This assertion was tested on 139 patients having inflammatory and irritable bower diseases with the help of the repertory grid technique. Univariate analysis showed that this hypothesis not only applies to the primary object, but is also valid for the partner relationship. Neither gender nor illness behaviour affect the connections observed here. Although patients with irritable bowel diseases as well as those suffering from Crohn's disease or colitis ulcerosa, have differing pathogeneses, there is a comparable tendency in all three diagnostic groups to represent object relationships leaded with conflict symbolically in the diseased organ of the body. The finding that the physical and psychological condition of the moment in the sense of a reactive component likewise has to intervening influence, leads to the suppostion that, in accordance with theoretical assumptions, this is a general factor.

Note: Article Porsch U, Univ Mainz Klinikum, Klin Psychosomat Med & Psychotherapie, Untere Zahlbacher Str 8, D-55131 Mainz, GERMANY

Keyword(s): body perception; object relationship experiences; irritable and inflammatory bowel disease; Kelly grid technique; EARLY MATERNAL SEPARATION; PSYCHOSOMATIC-DISORDERS; BASIC CONFLICT; RATS

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