Mind-Body and Health
Course explores psychosomatics or mind-body interactions in a dozen diseases/disorders from recurrent ailments (e.g., asthma, gastrointestinal disorders) and chronic diseases (e.g., hypertension) to “terminal” diseases (e.g., cancer, AIDS); also included are specific disorders of appetite, sleep, and sexual functioning. For each of these, (i) symptoms (physical and psychological) are outlined, (ii) epidemiological data are used to illustrate socio-cultural underpinnings of health, and (iii) etiology examines how emotion, personality, and other psychological variables interact with the biological. Finally, (iv) psychosocial assessment and (v) cognitive-behavioral-affective treatments are presented for each disease/disorder.
Topics
- To trace the evolution of the field of psychosomatics To learn relevant terminology in health-related disciplines To understand the different types of psychosomatic processes To recognize physical as well as behavioral symptoms of diseases/disorders To interpret epidemiological findings from a socio-cultural perspective of health To uncover the psychosomatic etiology of diseases and disorders covered in the course To be acquainted with psychological assessment of relevant symptoms and sequelae To be acquainted with cognitive, affective, behavioral treatments and lifestyle change
Official catalogue course objectives and student learning outcomes
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027