UkrainianProfessional Education

Abstract

The results of the analysis of psychological factor importance in the development and course of somatic pathology are considered in this paper. The authors of this scientific publication point out that the symptoms of any disease can be a direct expression of mental experiences of the person and indicate the correct understanding of the disease as a process caused primarily by psychological factors and that the emotional state of the person affects both the occurrence and overcoming the disease , and the conventional line separating the concept of “organic disease of internal organs and systems” and “psychosomatic disorder” is rather blurred. The importance of understanding the human organism as a complete selfregulating system in all its complexity of physical and mental manifestations and in close interdependence with specific life conditions for each person is noted. The data of numerous investigations, which testify that psychosocial factors have significant impact on the occurrence and spread of diseases are summarized in this paper. The importance of trusting the psychologist or doctor in the person’s attitude to disease, which is considered as the moral choice and gives permission to act in extremely difficult circumstances for the ill person is highlighted. The authors emphasize the importance of mastering “Medical Psychology” discipline (or, in our opinion, “Psychology of Medicine”) by the students of higher educational institutions specializing in “Psychology”

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