THE ROLE OF PSYCHOSOMATIC MEDICINE IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD

Tatjana Sivik, MD, PHD
President, ICPM

During history periods of rapid and big changes in society – such as war, mass migration, economic instability and other stressful events - have always led to elevation of all kinds of diseases and illnesses. It goes beyond saying that emotional and psychosocial stressful events and factors are always related to the elevation of the risk for the development of various diseases. However, during the periods of relative stability and economic prosperity we are less inclined to realise this relationship. On the other hand, when changes and upheaval periods are obvious, the understanding of the strong connection between psychosocial and bio-physiological factors becomes obvious to most people.
In to days’ modern, rapidly changing society the understanding of this connection is growing and the need for integrative, psychosomatic interventions is growing with it; the important role of Psychosomatic Medicine becomes more and more obvious.
The speed and complexity of the interactions of societal processes on different levels – global, state, organisational, family, individual – makes it impossible to preserve basic prerequisites for balanced life, e.i.: simplicity, sense of coherence, closeness (närvaro) and selective perception. The understanding and proper treatment of different stress related disorders - such as burnout - is only possible when psychosomatic, integrative approach is applied. The need for such an approach is strongly evident in all disciplines and in research as well as in treatment and rehabilitation.