Mind-Body Problems

The opening paper profitably links psychosomatic disorders to alexithymia, the absence or deadening of feeling, the inability to identify or express emotion. Alexithymic individuals are particularly prone to disease as a result of the faulty processing of emotions that leads to cognitive deficit in coping with stressful affects. Animated case reports on specific disorders—anorexia, arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, even (speculatively) miscarriage—balance consideration of developmental questions and treatment issues (transference/countertransference) and techniques. From a historical essay on Freud's view of the mind-body connection to explorations of the complicated role of trauma and PTSD, the contributions to Dr. Finell's collection demonstrate intellectual energy and clinical creativity.

Covers developmental determinants of psychosomatic symptoms, annihilation anxiety in psychosomatic disorders, etc.

The opening paper profitably links psychosomatic disorders to alexithymia, the absence or deadening of feeling, the inability to identify or express emotion. Alexithymic individuals are particularly prone to disease as a result of the faulty processing of emotions that leads to cognitive deficit in coping with stressful affects. Animated case reports on specific disorders—anorexia, arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, even (speculatively) miscarriage—balance consideration of developmental questions and treatment issues (transference/countertransference) and techniques.From a historical essay on Freud's view of the mind-body connection to explorations of the complicated role of trauma and PTSD, the contributions to Dr. Finell's collection demonstrate intellectual energy and clinical creativity.

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Provides evidence that alexithymia, an inability to feel, is at the root of many psychosomatic problems, and explains how therapists can help their patients get in touch with their feelings and regain control of their own bodies. Also considers the role of post-traumatic stress disorder, psychological factors in miscarriage, and post-concussional syndrome. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Janet Schumacher Finell, Ph.D., editor of Mind_Body Problems: Psychotherapy with Psychosomatic Disorders, is Training and Supervisory Psychoanalyst at the National Psychological Association for Psychoanalysis, New York, and the Institute for Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy of New Jersey, where she is also a member of the faculty. In her recent writing and clinical work, Dr. Finell has focused on psychosomatics, particularly on alexithymia_the inability to feel_and the use of the countertransference. She maintains private practices in Manhattan and Millburn, New Jersey.