Digest Number 1903

[Theresa Partington]

Psychosomatic
The generally accepted (dictionary) definition of psychosomatic is bodily
disease originating in the psyche - although Toni's definition involving
consciousness and intent is interesting, it is not the standard definition
any more than is my definition of it relating to two sides of the same coin,
without necessary causality. However, the common usage of the word implies
an awful lot of assumptions about how people work, assumptions based on an
allopathic model and there are good precedents for challenging ideas by
challenging words that are used. (Just look at the women's movement and
movements for racial equality). If someone asks me if homeopathy only deals
with psychosomatic disease I have no problem at all in challenging the
assumptions inherent in common usage of the expression. As for whether I
'*want* to give the impression that "real" diseases can't be treated by
homeopathy' ( a strange question, anyway) this division of disease into the
real and unreal is not mine and the opposite of what I have been trying to
say.
Yours, giving up this particular debate now,
Theresa

[dusty1197]

Interesting points, Theresa. The truth is, what does it matter even
if a person comes to a state of health, for instance, while on sac
lac, simply through the power of expectation? Or if this fits
neatly into the accepted definition of psychosomatic or
psychogenetic? And what's to say that disease that originates and
ends in the mind is "fake" disease (realizing that's *not* what you
were saying)? A sick person is a sick person. Making folks well is
what matters It was a thought-provoking debate. Thanks for it!

Regards,
Toni
--- In minutus@yahoogroups.com, "Theresa Partington"
wrote:
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