Abstract
Psychosomatics, an often overlooked field of medicine, bears significance given the multitude of patients experiencing somatic symptoms due to specific emotions and experiences. This study aimed to scrutinize existing evidence concerning the link between somatic symptoms and nervous system activity. The goal was to pinpoint areas for effective therapeutic interventions. The literature was explored using the methods of comparative analysis, synthesis and graphical representation. The study introduced the concept of pathological neural networks, which represent a complex of emotions, feelings, and experiences that are morphologically localized in the prefrontal cortex, insular cortex, dorsal cingulate cortex, and subcortical structures (striato-pallidar system, hippocampus, brainstem, and others). This leads to the development of maladaptive patterns of avoidance behaviour, decreased general attention, and increased concentration on negative experiences. Downward activation of elements of the sympathetic nervous system and elements of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis with an increase in the level of cortisol in the blood leads the organism into a state of chronic distress with the synthesis of pro-inflammatory interleukins and pruritogenic factors and disruption of serotonin and dopamine metabolism in neuronal synapses. The gut microbiota also has a significant influence on psychosomatic reactions. Patients with psychosomatic disorders require complex treatment with cognitive-behavioural therapy and hypnosis methods. Within the framework of pathological neural networks, the MindChat technique has yielded effectiveness with the purpose of “dehypnotization” and destruction of aberrant cognitive and emotional patterns. However, it should be noted that this technique requires further empirical support.
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