The establishment of the methodology of science has recently been accompanied by the remarkable progress of academic fundamental researches concerning psychosomatic correlations. This is true, especially of the advancement in the elucidation of areas such as the intracerebral mechanism for psychosomatic correlations, as well as of the psychoneuroendocrinoimmunomodulation mechanism between the brain and body. In addition, molecular biological research has started on a genetic level, in relation to the vulnerability of the development of psychosomatic disorders. With the elucidation of the EBM-grounded "pathogenesis", the progression to be expected concerning psychosomatic medicine in the 21st century indicates prevention of disorders and health promotion. Research regarding the "salutogenesis" caused by heightened mental health and led to good psychosomatic correlations, is an important issue for contriting the well being of both the people of today and those of tomorrow in the future. The main theme of the 44th Annual Congress of the Japanese Society of Psychosomatic Medicine was set up as "Expectations and Possibilities toward New Developments in Psychosomatic Medicine-from holistic comprehensive medicine to preventive medicine and health promotion-", and all of the foreign invited speeches, special lectures, special programs, symposia, and panel discussions were designed within this main theme. I traced back through my researches both at Hiroshima University School of Medicine, Department of Neurology & Psychiatry and at University of the Ryukyus Faculty of Medicine, Department of Mental Health. At the former institution I researched the psychomechanism concerning the development of psychosomatic symptoms by the methodology of clinical dynamic psychiatray, and at the latter I researched stress prevention in relation to the improvement of mental health, the psychophysiological effect of health promotion, and reported the statistical results of an epidemiological health survey on the longevity of Okinawans. These studies have led me to believe that it is necessary to combine EBM, NBM, and metaphysical life ethical approach thereby advancing the continuation of research on the salutogenesis of health promotion. More than ever, it is believed that the acquisition of psychosomatic health of superior quality will contribute directly to the healthy longevity of life.

View full abstract

Most of anorexia nervosa (AN) patients require hospital treatment because of difficulties in the physical management of their remarkably reduced body weight. In the present study, we investigated the clinical and psychological features of 12 AN patients who were able to regain normal body weight with the resumption of menstruation and to readapt to a normal social life by an outpatient treatment alone (outpatient group). Controls were 39 AN patients who received hospital treatment at Kyushu University Hospital in the past two years (inpatient group). All inpatients had AN of the restricting type. The age at first visit was significantly lower and the duration of illness was shorter in the outpatient group than in the inpatient group. The outpatient group had a significantly lower depression score and a lower trait anxiety score than the inpatient group. Also, the outpatient group had a significantly lower ineffectiveness score and a lower total score as well as lower scores of drive for thinness, perfectionism and interpersonal distrust in Eating Disorder Inventory. In conclusion, the data shows that the psychopathology of the outpatient group, as well as the psychopathology related to the eating disorder itself, was of lower severity in general than that was found in the inpatient group.

View full abstract

This study was performed to assess the effects of intervention by a support group established to help cancer patients support each other, accept life with cancer, and feel positive in general. Under the program, the patients met for a 140-minute session once a week for five consecutive weeks. Each session consisted of a mini-lecture on cancer (educational intervention : 30 minutes), group discussion (emotional intervention : 90 minutes), and autogenic training to reduce stress (instruction in stress management : 20 minutes). Thirty-seven participants were recruited from various medical facilities in surrounding communities. Among them, 28 were included in the evaluation. The participants were divided into three groups : 1) men with any type of cancer (male-mixed group), 2) women with any type of cancer (female-mixed group), 3) men and women with any type of cancer (male and female-mixed group). Patient evaluations were based on 1) face sheets, 2) the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), 3) positiveness of attitudes, and 4) mental adjustment to cancer (MAC). The results were as follows : In general, three groups showed reduced depression and improved positiveness of attitudes and mental adjustment to cancer. Especially, the female-mixed group showed significant improvement in positiveness and hopelessness. The results suggested that support-group intervention may be helpful for cancer patients regardless of the group attribution.

View full abstract

We encountered with a 27-year old married woman with anorexia nervosa. We report the process of successful hospital treatment of this patient by describing the family characteristics and the therapeutic method. The main component of our treatment was to accompany the patient during her mealtimes. We hypothesized that the patient developed anorexia nervosa when her marriage triggered unsolved problems of separation-individuation which she had carried since her adolescence. Although her parents interfered with her excessively, her husband did not. We discussed the patient's conflict during her mealtimes. We watched over her "dependence" affectionately while encouraging her "independence." Our approach gave the patient a new experience of dynamic relationship between dependence and independence which she had never experienced with her parents, and her condition improved considerably.

View full abstract