Abstract
This essay aimed at reviewing the biological aspects of psychotherapy (with emphasis on group therapy) including:
1- Body brain mind connection.
2- Neural plasticity.
3- Gene expression.
We concluded that:
1- Body including its integrative systems (CNS, endocrine and immune system), brain and mind can not be separated but they are integrated and related to each other.
2- Mental illness cannot be just a chemical imbalance in the brain. Rather, it is disharmony of body, brain, mind and spirit within the whole person.
3- Psychiatric disorders may result from the interplay between environment, genes and impaired neural plasticity.
4- Bio-psycho-social model is important, beneficial and useful for both psychiatry and other specialties.
5- Basic plasticity is now regarded changing and our brains are learning machines that adapt constantly to meet our changing needs.
6- Human mental functions are genetically based but modulated during development and throughout life by environmental factors.
7- Human mental functions are genetically based but modulated during development and throughout life by environmental factors.
8- Psychotherapy is an intervention that affects the whole person through its effects on body-brain mind connection, neural plasticity and gene expression.
9- Our clinical experience in psychotherapy especially group therapy provides clear evidences for the effects of psychotherapy on biology.
Citation:
Abd El-Fadeel, N. A., Hamdi, N. A., Rabie’a, S. M. and Mahfouz, R. (2006). Biological Aspects of Psychotherapy. Master’s dissertation, Neurology and Psychiatry Dept., Faculty of Medicine, Minia University.
For complete essay:
- Contact Dr. Nashaat Adel Abd El-Fadeel (email: nashaatadel2014@gmail.com).
- Link to Egyptian Universities Library Consortium (here).
- Visit Minia Faculty of Medicine’s book library.
