Regression of the Psychosomatic Patient

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Severe regression of the psychosomatic patient happens in three situations. The first situation is when separation or death of a loved person is imminent. In this case the psychosomatic patient cannot process their grief and they develop somatic symptoms. McDougal, a very famous psychoanalyst, noted that many of her patients who faced a potential separation instead of letting themselves experience their sadness they developed physical symptoms.

The second case of severe regression happens when the partner of the psychosomatic patient exhibits characteristics that are not expected and cannot be enclosed in the relationship. For example, when the partner wants to distance themselves or expresses beliefs and emotions that are not anticipated. This happens because the new personality characteristics create cognitive dissonance that leads to stress.

The third case happens when the patient has invested in two different people who argue and have serious differences with each other. This causes internal conflict which has its roots in the Oedipus complex of the childhood years. Young children experience great stress when their parents argue because they feel caught in the middle. The psychosomatic patients are sensitive to these situations and can sometimes reproduce them in their adult life.

In all of the above three situations the psychosomatic symptoms cause somatic pain which paradoxically is more endurable than the psychological pain. At the same time the psychosomatic symptoms become a defense that protects the self from further disorganization. It is as if the somatic symptom takes the place of a psychological defense mechanism that is not there. In the cases of severe regression the somatic symptom deteriorates and can last for longer periods of time.   

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