Psychosomatics of intestinal disorders, colitis

Colitis, from a psychosomatic perspective, occurs in people who lack self-confidence and find it difficult to let go of the past. Spastic colitis represents a fear of losing control, a sense of instability, and unreliability. However, these are not the only psychological reasons behind the development of intestinal diseases. In psychodiagnostics, it’s important to consider each symptom and the localization of pain.

Psychosomatics of intestinal diseases

The esotericist and alternative medicine specialist Luule Viilma links intestinal problems to the work sphere:

• Small intestine diseases are caused by a contradiction between desires and duties: a person is engaged in minor routine work but wants to do something more significant. Also, the pain indicates a contemptuous attitude towards women’s labor.
• Problems with the large intestine arise from the opposite contradiction: one wants to engage in minor work, but has to make serious decisions. This also speaks of a contemptuous attitude towards men’s labor and accumulated unfinished tasks.

Another psychosomatic expert, Louise Hay, explains the problems differently. Let’s consider her explanation of diseases of the large and small intestine.

Small intestine disease

Small intestine disease suggests that a person is unable to derive benefit from life. They fail to see prospects in daily routine, clinging to trivialities when it’s necessary to focus on the main issues. Such a person is ready to give up everything if they are dissatisfied with some minor detail. They are prone to making a mountain out of a molehill.

Large intestine problems

Diseases of the large intestine indicate that a person is fixated on the past. It is difficult for them to let go of old ideas and beliefs, to change their plan of action. They reject everything new without even trying to understand whether it’s beneficial or not. Due to stubbornness, conservatism, and rigidity, they struggle to digest situations, to find the positive sides in bad events. Instead of searching for opportunities and perspectives, they fall into irritation.

Psychosomatics of Intestinal Disorders

From a psychosomatic perspective, the intestine is responsible for processing and accepting new information, as well as for the elimination of unnecessary and old elements. Intestinal disorders indicate a person’s difficulty in coming to terms with something, accepting a situation, idea, or another person. Or, it indicates their unwillingness to change viewpoints. For a more accurate determination of the cause, attention should be paid to the symptoms of the disorder.

Common Intestinal Problems

The intestine consists of the large and small intestines, beginning with the duodenum and ending with the anus. The small intestine is responsible for absorbing nutrients, while the large intestine is for eliminating toxins. Accordingly, a disease indicates problems with accepting or giving out life energy.

For healing, it is necessary to rid oneself of fears and doubts, cultivate positive thinking, and shift focus from material to spiritual values. One must realize that constant stepping out of the comfort zone, letting go of the old, and embracing the new and useful are necessary for development and success. You have enough strength, and the Universe is on your side.

Diarrhea

According to Liz Burbo, diarrhea means trying to get rid of the new and unfamiliar as quickly as possible. The person is constantly plagued by guilt and the fear of being rejected. They are afraid of doing something wrong or losing something important to them. Therefore, the slightest innovations cause fear and rejection. The person devalues and does not love themselves.

V. Sinelnikov sees the cause in strong fear and anxiety. The person does not trust themselves or the world.

According to Louise Hay, diarrhea symbolizes fear, refusal, running away.

Constipation

According to Liz Burbo, constipation indicates that a person is holding back their desires, thoughts, and emotions. This is due to the fear of loss and loneliness. The person is afraid of not being liked by others or appearing impolite. Constipation also indicates pettiness, stinginess, greed.

V. Sinelnikov explains constipation as an unwillingness to part with outdated thoughts. You are afraid to let go of something because you worry that you won’t be able to regain stability. Failures and neediness scare you even more. Perhaps, you are clinging to a job you don’t love or to relationships that have outlived their usefulness. Louise Hay explains constipation as bitterness, being stuck in the past.

Gas Accumulation (Meteorism)

According to Liz Burbo, meteorism indicates anxiety, fear of being in a difficult situation, losing something. The more accumulated worries and anxieties, the stronger the abdominal bloating. It is necessary to focus on the present and stop worrying about the future. At the same time, one should stop dwelling on the accumulated and refocus attention on spiritual values.

According to V. Sinelnikov, meteorism arises if it is difficult for a person to digest something. Too many different and difficult-to-assimilate events have happened in life.

You lack consistency and calm.

Louise Hay says meteorism symbolizes fear, repression, and unrealized ideas.

Anus (Problems)

According to Liz Burbo, the anus symbolizes the completion of ideas, thoughts, relationships, affairs. Pain indicates guilt due to the desire to finish something. Itching indicates an overwhelming desire to finish something. An abscess is accumulated negativity that seeks a way out. Rectal bleeding arises from anger and disappointment, a loss of taste for life.

According to V. Sinelnikov, the anus symbolizes the release of accumulated problems, emotions, grievances. It is difficult and painful for you to part with something in your life. Memories of the past are accompanied by resentment, anger, fear, guilt.

In Louise Hay’s theory, the anus symbolizes the ability to rid oneself of problems, grievances, and emotions. The psychologist gives a detailed explanation of anus problems:

• abscesses – anger at what you want to get rid of;
• itching – guilt over the past;
• pain – the need for punishment because of guilt;
• fistulas, cracks – unwillingness to part with the trash of the past.

It is important! For an accurate diagnosis and the development of a psychotherapy plan, it is necessary to consider not only the psychosomatic explanation of the problem but also the personality traits of the patient, their history, and lifestyle. In addition, medical predispositions to diseases should be taken into account.

Psychosomatics of Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis indicates that a person suffers a lot, is afraid, dissatisfied with work or life in general. UC is more common in cruel people prone to aggression. Why else some people are prone to this inflammatory pathology (personality portrait):

• indecisiveness;
• difficulty in making choices;
• sentimentality;
• weepiness;
• passivity;
• emotional instability;
• conflict;
• inability to resolve conflicts;
• painful memories of the past;
• psychotraumas.

Ulcerative colitis sufferers are gnawed at from within. They are literally eaten away by unpleasant memories and emotions. Anxiety, depression, severe stress are precursors of colitis. Nonspecific ulcerative colitis arises from the simultaneous desire to get rid of something and to preserve it. Stress can be caused by a situation that requires quick decision-making.

Interesting! UC is more common among introverts. These are people prone to introspection, sensitive, vulnerable.

Intestinal Ulcer

An intestinal ulcer arises from excessive stomach secretion and the entry of acid into the intestine. On a psychological level, this indicates self-torment. The person is so fixated on problems that they literally eat themselves up. Meanwhile, they feel irritation, indignation, and helplessness.

Colon Cancer

Colon cancer speaks of anger and disappointment, fear of criticism, and contempt for one’s work.

How Irritable Bowel Syndrome Develops from a Psychosomatic Perspective

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) manifests as stool disturbances, colitis, and bloating. Repressed feelings and accumulated negativity are the main causes of IBS. Other psychosomatic reasons include doubts, immaturity, and low self-esteem.

Interestingly, women encounter IBS more often than men, likely due to their inherent higher emotional nature combined with a tendency towards patience and tolerance. Fear and irritation affect the intestines the most.

Disorder can be seen as a body’s rebellion. It reacts to danger and numerous fears related to the future. The fear of financial distress is particularly significant. People feel vulnerable, unprotected. Additionally, hormonal changes play a role: constant irritation leads to the production of norepinephrine and adrenaline. Norepinephrine affects the intestinal walls, causing bloating and diarrhea, while adrenaline constricts blood vessels. This impairs circulation, leading to dysbiosis.

Paths to Healing

To heal, it’s essential to rid oneself of negative thoughts and feelings. This requires a lifestyle change, best achieved through psychotherapy aimed at fostering independence and self-trust. It’s important to overcome emotional dependency, restoring a sense of safety and protection. Body-oriented therapy, autogenic training, hypnosis, art therapy, visualization, and transactional analysis can be beneficial.

How to Combat It

Louise Hay suggests using affirmations:

• Intestinal problems: “I easily let go of the old and welcome the new. I am free, and my life is full of joy.”
• Colitis: “My life is balanced, I am an integral part of the life rhythm. The universe wishes me well.”
• Spastic colitis: “All is well. I need not fear life. The universe wishes me the best.”
• Bleeding: “I trust the life process. Only the right and beautiful happen in my life.”
• Diarrhea: “I have no problems with absorption, assimilation, and elimination. I have no disagreements with life.”
• Constipation: “As I let go of the past, new, fresh life enters. I let the flow of life pass through me.”
• Bloating: “I relax and allow life to flow easily and freely within me.”
• Anal abscesses: “Releasing is completely safe. My body only lets go of what I no longer need in life.”
• Anal itching: “I joyfully forgive myself. I relish freedom.”
• Anal pain: “The past is over. I choose love and approve of myself and all that I do now.”
• Fissures, fistulas: “I joyfully let go of the past. I enjoy freedom.”

It’s crucial to overcome the fear of losing something and to allow oneself to be authentic. Analyze the situation. Is it really that scary and dangerous for your development to express your opinion?

Important: Briefly, for healing, stabilize two intestinal functions: nourish yourself with positive feelings and events; learn to rid yourself of harmful thoughts, negative emotions, and outdated opinions.