The potential use of videotape in teaching psychosomatics

Psychosomatists should admit that so far they have largely failed in communicating their knowledge and skills to those outside a limited circle. As a result many sick people suffer more than they need. Students of animal behaviour have made better use of sound and videotape to illustrate the normal and abnormal than students of human behaviour. Some of the reasons for this are examined. In teaching and learning psychosomatics the potential of videotape has yet to be realised. The article presents some such possibilities and is illustrated by edited versions of the author's experience over four years in a busy outpatient clinic of (1) characteristic life situations and attitudes in three disorders: Multiple Sclerosis, Migraine and auto immune disease, (2) the psychological management of an intractable case of Asthma over two years (approx. 32h of therapy).