Wellness 1 - Influence of Physical Health on Psychological Health

Can physical health influence psychological health?
Yes, even people of many early societies believed so. I shall first provide illustrations using the early Greek and Chinese treatment of diseases as examples.
The Greeks believed that there are four humors in our bodies. They are:
* Yellow Bile
* Black Bile
* Phlegm
* Blood
The belief was that mental illnesses such as depression resulted if these four humors were not in the right proportions or were non-balanced. As such, to cure such mental disorders, the Greeks physicians would prescribe a change in diet or physical exercises. The Greek medicinal practices provided the foundations for modern Western medicine.
In a similar manner, the Chinese also believed in the importance of bodily balance and harmony. There are three aspects of Chinese concepts of balance.
The first is the concept of yin and yang. Yin and yang represents opposing but complementary forces in the universe. Yin (moon) is the submissive female force, while yang (sun) is the aggressive masculine force. The balance of these forces was believed to be necessary for a healthy body. It is therefore important to maintain a balance of yin and yang in our bodies.
The second concept is the notion that the material world consists of five basic elements (wood, fire, earth, metal and water). The Chinese believed in the close relationship between the physiology and pathology of the human bodies and the natural environment which is made up of these five elements.
The third concept is that of chi which is an invisible energy force that flows freely in a healthy person. If the flow of chi is weakened or blocked a person falls ill. It is interesting to note blockage is not the result of the illness, rather the cause of illness. To be healthy, therefore, the energy flow needs to be restored.
The Chinese also treated mental problems, as in other physical illnesses, using herbs and acupuncture. For example, the Chinese would use herbal medicine formulae to treat schizophrenia and use acupuncture to alleviate the symptoms of dementia.
This article is not a treatise on the similarities and differences between the traditional Western medicine and the traditional Chinese medicine on the interaction between physical health and mental health. Rather, the intent is to examine some similarities between traditional principles with modern medicinal beliefs and whether these traditional principles can still be applicable in the treatment of mental disorders.
The modern belief is that it is the imbalance of neurotransmitters, in place of the four humors, five elements, Yin-Yang, or chi, that causes psychological problems.
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit (relay, amplify and modulate) signals between a neuron (nerve cell) and another cell, called receptor, in the body. The transmitter can result in the receptor taking an action (e.g. movement of the muscle cells or emotion or pain to be felt) or inaction (e.g. inhibits or stops a certain muscle cell movement).
Drugs can affect the functions of the transmitters. For examples, cocaine blocks the reuptake (reabsorption) of the neurotransmitter dopamine thus acting as a stimulant, and Prozac inhibits the reuptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin thus acting as an antidepressant.
The above examples suggest that emotions, positive or negative, can be effected by chemical imbalance. A healthy body has its parts functioning well and therefore has a better control of the balance of chemicals to the desired levels, at the right place, and at the right time. It is reasonable to expect a healthy body to be better able to keep its emotions under control. However, it does not suggest that a healthy body can increase the amount of positive emotions. Whether it can indeed be so requires much more research to establish.

Reference eBooks:
1. http://www.demystifycancer.com/ebooks.htm
2. http://www.jacobgan.com/happy2.html
3. http://www.jacobgan.com/ThePowerofLaughter.html

Relevant eCourses:
1. http://www.demystifycancer.com/Courses-Psychology.htm
2. http://www.demystifycancer.com/Courses-AlternativeMedicine.htm
3. http://www.demystifycancer.com/Courses-PainManagement.htm