Psychotherapeutic implications of self-discoveries made in exploring psychologically-caused physical symptoms.

Abstract

A personal case study conducted over a 49-year period of the relationship between physical symptoms and psychological "hang-ups" and flaws is described. Some of the psychological work done to outgrow these problems, which led both to the dissipation of the symptoms and to personal and psychological growth, is presented in a condensed form. Clarified from this study is the irony that with practice, psychological therapy led to less preoccupation and obsession with the body and more frequent intimate-separating involvements with life outside the body. Implications of this case study for psychotherapy are described.