Somatization is the process by which underlying emotional or psychological trauma and work related conditions like stress and anxiety may lead to physical ailments ranging from aches and chronic pain through to paralysis, fainting and memory loss.
Summary by The World of Work Project
Somatization
Somatization is the name given to physical ailments that result from underlying emotional and psychological trauma. This trauma may also result in a range of mental distress, though it may not. Everyone experiences some form of somatization, but some people experience it in levels high enough for it to be debilitating.
Common causes of somatization in work include stress and anxiety, though there are, of course, many more causes. These mental conditions can cause body symptoms such as back ache, stomach ache, head ache, chronic fatigue, nausea or even chronic pain. Alternatively, neurological symptoms can occur such as: weakness, paralysis, dizziness, fainting, abnormal movements (akin to seizures), trouble with speech, tingling or numbness and memory loss.
Learning More
The brain is a fascinating thing and hugely affects our working experiences. The basics of brain anatomy may be helpful to be aware of. Similarly, Oxytocin and Adrenaline, which contributes to our fight or flight response, might also be interesting to learn more about. In addition, the icea of Leisure Sickness might be interesting to learn more about.
Many people think that we, as humans, basically create our own realities. Our cognitive biases are one minor way in which we do so. It’s perhaps also interesting to spend a bit of time reading up on Cartesian dualism as well, as it’s a concept very much anchoring a lot of western world views.
Somatization is often related to stress and anxiety. You can listen to our podcast on stress buckets below:
The World of Work Project View
The human body is a fantastic, complex and fascinating system that we only partly understand. It behaves in ways that sometimes seem highly unlikely. However, just because we don’t understand something, doesn’t mean it isn’t real.
Stress and anxiety are common in most workplaces. Individuals and leaders are increasingly aware of the more frequent physical, mental and behavioral signs of stress. Somatization, though, is perhaps less common and less well understood in the workplace. Essentially, somatization is simply a physical or neurological symptom occurring as the result of a mental condition.
The key point to remember here is that these are real symptoms. They occur because of mental conditions, but they are still very real and can be very debilitating. They can appear at all ages and are often the result of stress and anxiety. It’s often the case that the individuals who are experiencing these symptoms are themselves not really aware that they are the result of mental conditions.
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Sources and Feedback
This post is based on general reading of research done by BA Van Der Kolk, such as the 1996 article Dissociation, somatization, and affect dysregulation: the complexity of adaptation of trauma. It may be a good starting point from which to learn more.
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