When the Body Says No, Ch. 1-4

Who was Mary?

A 40-year old Native women who was married with 3 kids

What condition(s) did Mary have?

She had a sewing needle puncture which failed to heal, leading her to be diagnosed with Raynaud’s phenomenon & scleroderma

What hidden stressors did Mary have? (4)

• A vast store of repressed emotion

• Abused & abandoned as a child

• Constantly moved between foster homes, making her scared all the time

• Never spoke about her childhood trauma

Which individual identified rheumatoid arthritis as possibly being a stress-related disorder

William Osler

What is psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)

Field which explores the relationship between our mind & body, connecting psychology, cognition, & emotions to our immune & endocrine systems

What is dualism?

Cleaving into 2 that which is 1

What is the problem with dualism?

Colors our beliefs on health & illness, separating things which should in fact be connected

Who is Jacqueline Dupres?

A gifted cellist who died in 1987

What condition(s) did Jacqueline have?

She was diagnosed with MS at 28

What hidden stressors did Jacqueline have? (3)

• Was in a dependent relationship with her mother

• Was bullied in school

• Dysfunctional emotional connection

What was Dr. Mate’s assessment of Jacqueline? (4)

• Was deeply impacted by her childhood trauma (bullying & dysfunctional relationship w/mother)

• Continued with cello so as not to disappoint others

• Cello was her emotional outlet

• She chose her personality to suit the circumstances demanded

Who was Alan?

A 47 year-old engineer, who was married for 10 years and with no kids

What condition(s) did Alan have?

Diagnosed with esophageal cancer despite being a non-smoker or drinker, described as having a “weak stomach”

What hidden stressors did Alan have? (3)

• Unfulfilling relationship

• Lack of children

• Worked 11 hours, 7 days a week (workaholic)

What was Dr. Mate’s assessment of Alan? (2)

• Client had poor perception of his stress, saying his job was a good stress but his marriage was a bad stress

• Alan ignored his physical symptoms and made excuses

Who was Laura?

A 65-year old dance teacher who was on her 2nd marriage and had 3 kids

What condition(s) did Laura have?

Diagnosed with ALS after doing chemo for breast cancer at age 61

What hidden stressors did Laura have? (5)

• Family history of breast cancer

• Companion to her father (caregiver?)

• Running a B&B

• 1st husband was a compulsive womanizer

• Husband left her when she was pregnant with her 3rd child

What was Dr. Mate’s assessment of Laura? (4)

• Guilt related to saying “no” to others, starting at a young age

• Adult responsibilities during childhood

• Abandonment by her 1st husband impacted her

• Doesn’t like to confront the negative