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Medically Unexplained Symptoms and Attachment Theory: The BodyMind Approach®
1School of Education, University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.
Frontiers in Psychology
|November 30, 2019
Summary
The BodyMind Approach (TBMA) helps individuals with medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) by addressing insecure attachment styles, improving their self-management capabilities. This approach has shown effectiveness within the UK National Health Service (NHS).
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Health Sciences
Background:
- Insecure attachment styles, often linked to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), are associated with medically unexplained symptoms (MUS).
- These attachment styles can impair individuals' capacity for self-management of their conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a new hypothesis for the effectiveness of The BodyMind Approach (TBMA).
- To explain how TBMA specifically targets and supports individuals with insecure attachment styles in the context of MUS.
Main Methods:
- Discussion of three insecure attachment styles (dismissive, preoccupied, fearful) relevant to MUS.
- Description of TBMA, detailing its design and how it addresses insecure attachment styles.
- Identification and debate of key TBMA concepts: emotional regulation, safety, and bodymindfulness.
Main Results:
- TBMA is designed to accommodate the specific characteristics of dismissive, preoccupied, and fearful attachment styles.
- The program's structure, facilitation, and content are tailored to support these insecure attachment styles.
- TBMA has been tested and demonstrated effectiveness in UK National Health Service (NHS) settings.
Conclusions:
- TBMA offers a targeted intervention for MUS sufferers with insecure attachment styles.
- Improved self-management through TBMA has the potential to reduce healthcare costs and General Practitioner workload.
- TBMA provides a rationale for its design over traditional psychological interventions for this population.
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