Challenges and learning tasks in neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases.
Sure, the one who is fed up with his work or spouse gets a cold faster than the one who is full of enthusiasm. But can we also prevent or cure diseases like diabetes or Parkinson's by trying to understand their symbolic statements? Actor and producer Michael J. Fox has suffered from Parkinson's for over 20 years. He has written a book [1] in which he describes his struggle against Parkinson's disease, how he kept looking for the positive and continued to approach life with humor. On the other hand, he took a very serious approach to setting up a foundation for research into Parkinson's disease.
Diabetes and Parkinson's disease are two of the most widespread diseases in Germany. About 4.5 million people suffer from diabetes mellitus and 4.1 million from Parkinson's worldwide, including almost 300,000 in Germany. Although both diseases have little in common and are completely different in origin, their course is peculiarly closely linked to the psyche. Particularly in the case of diabetes, a psychological secondary diagnosis hinders the effective treatment of the diabetes and thus complications can occur or further damage can develop in the longer term.
Parkinson's disease and possible mental-emotional concomitants
Almost 60 neurodegenerative diseases are known. Using Parkinson's disease as an example, it can be seen that in addition to the typical physical movement restrictions, tremor and stiffened muscles, psychological difficulties are also present in about 40 percent of patients, such as
- Sleep disturbances
- Depression
- Dementia
- Impulse control disorders
- anxiety
- psychotic hallucinations
Depression leads the way and can occur at an early stage. Prompt antidepressant measures are important to prevent an unnecessary deterioration in quality of life.
The physical cause of Parkinson's disease is considered to be the degeneration of nerve connections. There are different forms of the disease. Fortunately, only about 1 percent of people over 60 suffer from it. Imaging techniques have shown that depressive Parkinson's patients suffer from a lack of transport of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine in three brain areas: the locus coeruleus of the midbrain, the amygdala and parts of the limbic system lack the necessary proteins.
Are there learning tasks in Parkinson's at the mental and spiritual level?
The physical causes of Parkinson's disease are not sufficiently understood. However, pesticides, heavy metals, poisoning and certain medications that affect dopamine levels are suspected to be secondary triggers of the disease. So make sure to avoid possible related substances. Dr. Rüdiger Dahlke, the author of the books "Illness as the Language of the Soul" and "Illness as a Path" [2] is a pioneer in the field of psychosomatics and emphasizes again and again "whoever wants healing must also look at what the illness wants to communicate to him". What symbolic language does it use? Recognition is the first step to healing and the necessary change the second.
In this sense the following table is to be considered:
| Parkinson's symptom | symbolic | request for change |
|---|---|---|
| slowed movements | „verslowed progress“ | In what area of life am I no longer progressing? Where do I always remain spiritually on the same standpoint? |
| händing head | not straightened up,connection upwards not established | What about your attitude to the spiritual dimension of life? |
| trembling of arms and legs | restlessness,torn back and forth | decide between two possibilities,go one way and find peace |
| reduced facial expressions | frozen communication,nothing is let out - nothing can land | Are my principles frozen? Is my thought world too rigid? |
Diabetes - what mental-emotional phenomena can occur here?
Metabolic diseases produce very different symptoms and courses. Here we look at interactions on the psyche and mind based on diabetes. In diabetics, for example, we also see:
Depression:
Diabetics suffer from depression about twice as often as healthy people. It is still unclear why. However, it is more difficult for diabetics with depression to adhere to their diabetic plan of action and diet, to exercise more, and to quit smoking. Seniors with diabetes, in particular, are therefore at greater risk of blood sugar slips and their sequelae.
Anxiety disorders:
Here, too, there are correlations. And anxiety can also make appropriate blood glucose control more difficult. The fears are often, but not only, related to the diabetes disease. For example, there is the fear of hypoglycemia. For the diabetic, everyday life quickly becomes a constant job of dealing with the disease and its possible consequences. In the case of diabetes, it is essential to leave unhealthy habits behind. But a lot of new things also await the patient. This can also be stressful and frightening. For example, as a diabetic, you should pay attention to your diet, exercise a lot, remember to take your medications, measure your blood sugar, and possibly inject insulin yourself.
Alzheimer's dementia:
People with type 2 diabetes are twice as likely to develop dementia as non-diabetics at the current time, because high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels in the brain. The lack of blood flow in turn promotes dementia. Once dementia has developed, it becomes difficult to inject insulin regularly. Correct blood glucose control is therefore extremely important. To do this, of course, it must be detected as early as possible.
Possible learning tasks in diabetes mellitus on the mental and spiritual level
Psychosomatically, the body reflects to us what the soul has not yet understood and can experience more directly and clearly through the body. So we have to take a closer look here at why the diabetic has so much desire for sweet things on the one hand, but can no longer utilize them properly on the other. Sweetness figuratively stands for everything loving in life. It may be worthwhile to ask yourself the following questions.
- Do I allow myself to live love and to know myself loved?
- Do I forbid myself my desire to live a loving life? What am I afraid of?
- Do I believe that life can no longer offer me anything sweet? Why?
- How could I allow more of the love that is given to me?
- Why am I afraid of a lack of love and grasp needily at anything I can get?
Take a question or several that touch you. Ask it every night before you go to sleep and don't let up until you get answers: the next morning maybe already or in a dream or weeks later suddenly in the shower.
Conclusion
Going into oneself and deciphering the message of the disease can be another step towards healing. Of course, this should only accompany any medically necessary therapy, not replace it. If depressive symptoms arise in addition to the underlying illness, these also need to be looked at and treated. Those affected should honestly address any fears they may have. There are many helpful methods for overcoming anxiety, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or alternative methods, such as NLP and EFT for self-help. Early detection, usually called preventive care in conventional medicine, is of course good. Even better is holistic prevention, consisting of lifelong practice of: healthy eating, exercise and sense. It is never too late to start.
