Psychologically induced pain syndromes (PIPS) is the categorical name of actual physical health issues that are that the direct result of psychoemotional causative processes. In essence, the symptoms exist 100% in the body, but the source of the symptoms resides exclusively in the mind. These disorders were brought to light by Sigmund Freud, and his many disciples, and recently have been championed by such well known physicians as Dr. Andrew Weil, Dr. John Sarno and Dr. Deepak Chopra, among countless others.
These health crises are not imagined nor are they invented, exaggerated or fake. They are real and 100% verified by research and medical science. The mindbody processes have been shown to be incredibly influential on all the body’s systems and the effects of emotional scenarios on the body have been documented in far more research studies than can be cited here (or anywhere).
Psychologically Induced Pain Syndrome Causes
Psychologically induced pain syndromes are actually defense mechanisms designed to cover up sensitive or unresolved emotional issues. The subconscious mind feels that these issues are so threatening to the wellbeing of the individual, that it will do anything to prevent them from becoming conscious. This process is called repression.
When repression is not enough to guarantee that the painful emotions will remain hidden, the subconscious can create psychosomatic symptoms to preoccupy the conscious thoughts of the individual. This focus on the pain is a very effective means of making sure that repressed emotional issues remain well hidden and out of the conscious mind of the affected individual.
It is clear that some personality types are more prone to this process than others. It is also clear that the extent of the health conditions created varies greatly. I think it is safe to say that all of us have had tension-related headaches and the occasional upset stomach from stress. This seems quite normal in humans. However, some of us generate more complex pain syndromes when emotional stress threatens our consciousness.
The incidence of psychologically induced pain syndromes is universal in our species, but what differs from one person to the next is the severity, location and duration of the symptoms. These factors are often linked to the degree of threat presented by the repressed or suppressed emotional issues.
The subconscious mind is very clever. It will not typically invent some crazy physical pain condition to serve as a distraction. It will take advantage of real structural abnormalities and past injuries to create realistic and convincing chronic pain syndromes. If the subconscious mind sees a physical weakness or imperfection, it knows that pain experienced in that location will be attributed to the physical defect.
The subconscious mind is also aware of what is considered to be a very physical cause of agony. Back pain is the perfect example. The symptoms and causes are so seemingly anatomical that it makes the perfect disguise for a psychologically induced pain syndrome. No one will ever suspect that the pain is only a smokescreen designed to distract from painful emotional issues.
This camouflage is obviously a purposeful part of the psychosomatic process. This also explains why pain will move around illogically when treated. They mind is not going to be discouraged that easily. It likes this successful process of distraction and must be forcibly broken of the habit in order to cease and desist permanently.
Psychological back pain is just one of many pain syndromes caused by emotional sources, but as you will see from the list of other chronic concerns below, back ache is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg here.
Learn all about psychological symptom escalation.
It is vital to understand right from the start that the theory of psychologically induced pain syndromes causation is not new age or alternative medicine. Psychologically induced pain syndromes are part of medical science and have been proven in the laboratory, in observation and in practical application. This is medical fact. What remains very open to speculation is exactly which conditions and diagnoses qualify.
Read more about the universality of mindbody disorders.
Diverse Psychologically Induced Pain Syndromes
Ulcers used to be the # 1 chronic expression of psychologically induced pain syndromes. Medical science now knows that ulcers are caused, or worsened, by emotional stress. Once this fact was accepted by the general public, the frequency of ulcers decreased steadily year by year. Yes, the discovery of the link to H. pylori bacteria does exist, but this is only because the mind creates an environment in which the bacteria can thrive.
Back pain has become the latest, greatest (last 50 years) psychological pain syndrome. The incidence of chronic back pain has reached epidemic proportions. The reason is the success of the disguise. No one suspects that back ache could possibly be the result of a psychological process. Many cases of PIPS act as back pain substitute symptoms.
Angina is a common and highly recognized version of stress-related chest and heart pain. Heart palpitations sometimes accompany angina or arrhythmia. This is a particularly dangerous form of PIPS.
Repetitive strain injury is one of the most misdiagnosed and prevalent health crises today.
Obsessive compulsive disorder is a psycho-emotional tormentor which enslaves affected patients with all-consuming rituals.
Chronic fatigue syndrome makes even the most basic physical and mental tasks nearly impossible to accomplish. Chronic fatigue is a very profitable niche in the healthcare sector.
Digestive tract sensitivity is an extremely common mindbody pain syndrome. Chronic diarrhea, constipation, gas, heartburn, nauseousness and Irritable bowel syndrome are all common effects. Many back pain sufferers also have one or more of these chronic symptoms that can last for years. Colitis is one of the worst GI disorders which may be linked to psychological issues.
Frequent urination can come from a wide range of psychological issues.
Plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia are very common causes of foot pain.
Heel spurs are another scapegoat used to explain chronic foot symptoms.
Bruxism is an annoying and sometimes painful teeth grinding nuisance.
Torn rotator cuff is a common shoulder diagnosis which is typically blamed for enacting painful symptoms, when in reality, the condition may be coincidental.
A frozen shoulder is a frightening condition which may be caused by structural or ischemic reasons.
Impingement syndrome can result from physical or mindbody conditions which affect the shoulder joint.
Skin disorders can be mindbody problems. Adult acne, psoriasis, eczema, hives and rashes are all commonly caused by repressed psychological issues.
Sexual dysfunction is a general term for a variety of conditions affecting both men and women. Erectile dysfunction is a particular form of sexual problem affecting a large percentage of men.
Asthma is a condition that may revolve around psychological causation and certainly involves almost universal emotional escalation.
TMJ / temporomandibular joint disorder is an increasingly diagnosed condition that affects the jaw bone, jaw joints and jaw muscles. It has always been linked to stress, but rarely thought to be caused exclusively by a psychological process.
Trigeminal neuralgia is a facial nerve pain syndrome which is often linked to a psychosomatic source.
Carpal tunnel syndrome should be awarded second prize for most creative use of a psychological pain syndrome, right after back pain. People think this condition is common and comes from repetitive use of the hands and wrists (typing). Doctors have jumped all over this condition, especially with pharmaceutical relief and surgery. A majority of diagnosed carpal tunnel syndrome cases actually involve a powerful, but harmless form of psychologically induced tendonitis. Read more about PIPS wrist pain.
Tennis elbow is often misdiagnosed as a structural injury due to overuse, but is commonly a psychosomatic tendonalgia.
Bursitis is a universal part of aging in many joints including the hip, elbow, knee and the shoulder.
Prostatitis is a common form of psychological pain experienced by middle aged men. This condition is sometimes interpreted as a pre-cancerous condition and can lead to unnecessary treatments.
Urinary tract problems are classic examples of psychological symptoms.
Allergies are certainly linked to psychological causes. Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, is one of the most common of all allergic sensitivities. Psychosomatic allergies are experienced physically, but induced psychologically.
Fibromyalgia is a perfect example of a psychologically induced pain syndrome. Doctors have been trying to figure out this epidemic condition for years, with little of no success. No surprise, since many have been trying to find a physical cause, rather than investigating the possibility that this is a psychologically induced condition.
Headaches are the most common acute expression of psychological pain. Everyone knows that headaches come from stress and anxiety. Ask any medical doctor, and they will tell you that emotions, stress, and worry definitely contribute to the cause of headaches. Here is some detailed information about tension headache and migraine headaches.
Hypertension is often caused or escalated by psychological issues. Paroxysmal hypertension is proven to be especially related to repressed emotional issues.
Knee pain is commonly caused or perpetuated by psychological factors. This condition plagued me for many years, but never became as severe as my terrible back pain. Psychosomatic knee conditions are responsible for countless unnecessary surgeries every year.
Leg cramps are often linked to emotional ischemia syndromes and can be very difficult to diagnose and treat using traditional medical modalities.
Iliotibial band syndrome is a common runner’s nightmare often caused by a psychosomatic process.
Anxiety is a universal condition which affects all of us to one degree or another.
Chronic vertigo is often sourced in the subconscious mind instead of the physical body. Many cases are mistakenly attributed to inner ear concerns.
Bell’s palsy is an idiopathic facial nerve paralysis condition which may be tied to the mind/body processes in many patients.
CRPS is a growing diagnostic scapegoat used primarily to justify long-term insurance coverage for otherwise idiopathic persistent pain.
Psychologically Induced Pain Syndromes Conclusion
The list above are just some examples of common psychologically induced pain syndromes. The mind actually influences the entire general health of the body, so virtually any health condition might have a psychological component to it.
Psychological back pain is gaining more acceptance in the traditional medical community, as more undeniable facts gain acceptance in the general public. Research science has already discovered a link between the mind and the development of cancer. Some people die simply because they think it is their time.
I truly believe that the future of healthcare will eventually move more towards mindbody medicine. The process of preventing disease is always easier and more effective than treating it. The key to better general health is to embrace the power of the mind. We must accept its ability to affect our physical bodies for the better and for the worse or suffer endlessly under its whim.
I encourage all readers to further research these topics by reading the works of Dr. Sigmund Freud and studying the history of psychosomatic medicine. Not only is this fascinating material, but it will really reshape your thoughts on health and disease forever. This can be a very good thing for victims of chronic pain conditions.
In the past 10 years, I have seen sweeping changes in the use of mindbody modalities in traditional medicine. Once considered witchdoctor tactics, now there is not a single cancer treatment program in the US which does not utilize forms of knowledge therapy. Additionally, addiction treatment programs, pain management programs and therapies designed to treat an incredibly diverse range of diseases and conditions ALL utilize mindbody methods.
Lots of change is a very good thing indeed. I am happy and proud to have been a part of it for many years now. If you want the complete story on the full scope of mindbody disorders, then you must read the resources of our Cure Back Pain Forever Program. There is no better set of tools for defeating chronic pain available today!
