The BodyMind Approach™, medically unexplained symptoms and personal construct psychology

Abstract

This article outlines how the body produces medically unexplained symptoms (MUS). The BodyMind Approache (TBMAe) is a suggested therapeutic intervention for disrupting the expression of MUS. This is discussed in three main sections, each section relating to the previous one. First, the models of dissociation and conversion are expanded from a basis of personal construct psychology in which the body is related to psychological activities. Second, the way to release physical symptoms is to raise the levels of the awareness, in which preverbal constructs and suspended events effecting the generation of MUS are embodied. Third, TBMAe is proposed as an appropriate treatment intervention. The reasons for this are discussed by explaining how the therapeutic process breaks down dissociation and conversion models.