They didn't suggest any connection to psychosomatics when I was first diagnosed with IBS, even though the fact that my colonoscopy came back perfectly clean basically screams that the cause is psychological. That recommendation only popped up years later, after I started insisting that my IPP wasn't fully handling the heartburn—then the gastroenterologist started suspecting there was something deeper going on with my mental state. 🤣 Therefore, several years have passed since my symptoms first started, and now I'm sitting here with two new diagnoses, this time involving actual organic "damage."
My kid is an animal lover just like me, but they have a massive allergic reaction to them—both in lab tests and in real life. If anything is going to "suffocate" us, it’s being denied the things that actually matter. But that's why we rescue, treat, and foster animals; maybe we wouldn't be doing all this if things were different... because sometimes, just not being able to do something is its own kind of reality.
I’m currently in psychotherapy. I’m not on any medication because my therapist decided I don't need them, but let's be real—not everyone is "enlightened" enough to actually admit where their problems start.
GE actually recommended I go see a psychotherapist, therefore, clearly, not everyone is a skeptic.
Yeah, I get everything written above, believe me. That’s exactly my point—nobody ever suggested I go see a psychiatrist. I definitely wasn't under the impression that some shrink was going to cure my stomach ulcer without using an IPP 🤣. Of course, this was ages ago, but even looking at IBS threads today, I don't see anyone mentioning they were referred to a psychiatrist.
And regarding allergies—if we're talking about mere hypersensitivity, then why on earth do they bother recording family medical history for them? If it's just "sensitivity," then heredity shouldn't even matter if my kid is allergic. But every single time I walk into a doctor's office, that's the first thing they ask me 🤷 . Anyway, my kid is in puberty now and hasn't had an attack in two years. So, I want a real medical explanation: how does this supposed "most sensitive period" square with the fact that asthma symptoms usually taper off by this age for most people?
I’m right there with you. I deal with plenty of stuff from that list myself, and honestly, it’s infuriating. After my colonoscopy, once they slapped an IBS diagnosis on me, nobody even thought to suggest seeing a psychiatrist. If they had, maybe I wouldn't be dealing with GERD today. My family doctor used to tell me all the time that I was suffering from "Alexandrov illnesses." From what I understand, it refers to that so-called "seven" group of psychosomatic conditions.😉
Nicholas Myers said:Look, I’m not a psychiatry expert—that’s not my field—so I can't say for certain why organizations like the American Psychiatric Association have categorized asthma as a psychosomatic condition. It reminds me of a debate I once heard where an allergist and immunologist went after a psychologist, or maybe a psychiatrist, basically asking, "Oh, so you think we should treat anaphylactic shock with psychotherapy too?!"
The logic likely boils down to how mental states influence physical symptoms. Things like anxiety, stress, or general discontent can act as triggers for an attack.
Don't get me wrong; I'm not one of those people who believes everything is purely psychological. I'm just pointing out that this isn't some fringe theory someone made up; it’s actually documented in medical literature and research papers, just as my colleague mentioned.
Nicholas Myers is familiar with those theories, and it's certainly not the first time I've heard them. But from my own experience—having been a mother to an asthmatic child for nine years—watching exactly how her attacks happen, from an allergen trigger to excess mucus production and finally the tightness in the lungs... I find it hard to buy into that theory. And if that were true, then sending a kid like that primarily to an allergist or a pulmonologist would be the wrong approach. 🤷
Look, I’ve read all the theories and I know the drill, but where does the allergy actually fit into this equation? My kid isn't gasping for air because of some anxious parent; they're choking because of a cat. We have the lab results to prove the allergy is real.
ONT I get it, okay? It's crystal clear to me that my GERD is a direct result of the anxiety I've been battling for years. I'm not even questioning that part.
My kid's been dealing with allergic asthma for years now, and honestly? I'm starting to suspect they developed some kind of 'psychosomatic illness' back when they were just two 😕
I don't know you personally, but I'm sending you a huge hug. Honestly, I can't imagine how tough it is for someone your age dealing with this 🙂 really hope you find someone to talk to who actually gets what you're going through!
Unfortunately, there’s absolutely nothing on my insurance referral. Honestly, the only real relief I found was when I just paid out of pocket for private physical therapy after dealing with a nasty bout of sciatica. For $50, the session lasted about two and a half to three hours. We did everything—laser therapy, TENS, decompression, custom exercises, magnetic therapy, kinesiology tape, manual massage... you name it. Everything else I tried? Total waste of time.
Swimming builds up muscle strength, sure, but if you're dealing with scoliosis, you really need to master specific stretching routines. If you're located in the Midwest, shoot me a DM regarding physical therapy options.
Look, it’s perfectly normal to go through ups and downs—we all deal with it. But thinking they just vanished on their own? 🙄 I don't buy it for a second.
Look, when it comes to your spine, you have to master scoliosis exercises and actually do them every single day. Massage therapy isn't going to do anything for you in the long run. Have you ever even gone to physical therapy for pain? If not, that’s step one. You go to PT, they teach you the specific movements you need, and then you have to make them a part of your daily routine.
I was just chatting with my physical therapist about what can actually be done to help manage pain for a friend of mine dealing with bone cancer. You can definitely try some things, but you really shouldn't touch anything without a professional leading the way. Regarding that "electrical stimulation" thing, I specifically remember him saying absolutely not.
How things turned out really depends on the diagnosis. Until you actually know what you're dealing with, comparing experiences is pretty much pointless.
Look, you aren't going to get a diagnosis or any kind of treatment plan from this place. 🤷 It could be seborrheic dermatitis, some other type of skin inflammation, or honestly, who knows? That’s exactly why you need to see an actual dermatologist.
I can't tell from her post if she's actually suspicious. He mentioned it, sure, but my doctor personally shared that exact same doubt—how on earth do they even get there when they're supposed to 🤷