Tonsillitis (angina) is the inflammation of the tonsils. The disease is caused by bacterial or viral infection. However, not everyone is predisposed to the illness; only those with specific psychological underpinnings are vulnerable.
- Is Psychosomatic Angina and Tonsillitis Possible?
- Symptoms of Psychosomatic Angina and Tonsillitis
- General Psychosomatic Causes of Tonsillitis, Angina, Inflammation of Tonsils
- In Adults
- In Children
- Why Children Are More Prone to Angina
- Opinions of Renowned Psychologists
- Liz Bourbeau
- Louise Hay
- V. Zhikarentsev
- Valery Sinelnikov
- Therapy for Psychosomatic Angina and Tonsillitis
- Treatment
- Prevention
Is Psychosomatic Angina and Tonsillitis Possible?
The throat reflects the social sphere and the ability to speak and assert oneself. Any throat problems indicate difficulties in the communicative sphere. It’s hard for a person to interact with others and to express their desires and interests.
Angina arises due to the inability to express individuality. The throat is not just a symbol of communication but also a vessel for creative energy. Creativity, energy, expression – all are stored in the throat. If there’s no creativity in life, if a person cannot express their individuality, they may develop angina.
Psychological causes of tonsillitis include (psychology of chronic tonsillitis):
- Self-doubt.
- Feeling of instability and uncertainty.
- Indecisiveness associated with fear of consequences.
- Tendency to act first and think about the consequences later.
This contradictory combination of indecisiveness and the propensity to speak (act) first and think later often leads to unfavorable situations, punishment, and failures. This further diminishes self-confidence and reinforces fears.
Interesting! Chronic tonsillitis occurs when a person cannot accept something in their life: an idea, a person, circumstances, work, etc.
Symptoms of Psychosomatic Angina and Tonsillitis
Psychosomatic symptoms of tonsillitis and angina:
- Medications are ineffective or only temporarily alleviate symptoms, but the problem returns repeatedly.
- Episodes of angina and tonsillitis are characterized by a sudden onset and equally sudden retreat.
- There are no visible reasons for the illness, and medical diagnostics do not reveal a physical predisposition.
- The patient’s condition worsens against a backdrop of stress and conflicts.
One of the first symptoms of psychosomatic angina is a sensation of a lump or blockage in the throat, creating the feeling that it can’t be swallowed.
General Psychosomatic Causes of Tonsillitis, Angina, Inflammation of Tonsils
Psychosomatics of Tonsillitis:
- Significant people in your life trying to control you, manipulate you through feelings of shame and guilt.
- Unfulfilled need for love and acceptance.
- Suppressed feelings: sadness, sorrow, embarrassment, indignation. Important! The main psychological reason for frequent cases of tonsillitis and angina in children and adults is the inability to be oneself. A person cannot express their talents and abilities due to fear of criticism and attacks from others. They constantly feel danger and vulnerability, which prevents them from expressing opinions, emotions, and desires.
In Adults
In adults, tonsillitis occurs because they cannot express their opinions, feelings, and desires. They want to scream about injustice but can’t due to upbringing. Those with tonsillitis and angina can’t resolve issues aloud, dispute others’ opinions, or suggest alternative plans of action. They are used to swallowing grievances, keeping dissatisfaction to themselves, enduring insults, and humiliations.
Other causes of tonsil inflammation in adults:
- Anger;
- Irritability;
- Egoism;
- Narcissism;
- Introversion;
- Strong nervous experiences, shocks. Adult tonsillitis often has roots in childhood, possibly growing up in overprotective or authoritarian environments.
In Children
In children, tonsil inflammation arises from feelings of shame and guilt. Not all parents recognize their child as an individual. Instead, they want a convenient, obedient child and see themselves as almost owners of the child. A common phrase from such parents is, “I fed you, raised you, and this is how you behave. Don’t you feel sorry for me?” This is usually in response to the child expressing their opinion, desires, or being less ‘convenient’ and ‘good’.
If a child tries to be themselves but triggers parental anger, they may suffer from it for a long time. The more these situations of disappointment repeat, the more likely this behavior pattern will carry into adult life. Gradually, the person learns to please others, sacrifice themselves, and live for others. This is necessary to be accepted and loved, and to avoid loneliness and isolation.
Other causes of childhood tonsillitis:
- Lack of parental attention;
- Parental conflicts;
- Jealousy of siblings;
- Violence, humiliations.
Why Children Are More Prone to Angina
Children are more prone to throat inflammation than adults. This is due to the characteristics of their psyche. Due to their age, it is still very weak, unstable, yet rigid. A child doesn’t have enough flexibility to adequately perceive criticism and is highly dependent on the opinions of parents and peers. Childhood and adolescence see the birth of many complexes, experiences, fears, and grievances, making children vulnerable to throat inflammations.
Opinions of Renowned Psychologists
Let’s examine the theories of four famous psychologists-psychosomatists: Liz Bourbeau, Louise Hay, V. Zhikarentsev, V. Sinelnikov.
Liz Bourbeau
According to Liz Bourbeau, angina arises from self-anger and frustration over failures. You’re trying to swallow too big a “bite” of something. To prove yourself right and cope with your goals, you become angry and aggressive. What are you trying to ‘eat’? Are you sure you need to accept this? Or could you listen to your soul and refuse what your throat can’t accept? Learn to treat yourself, the world, and others with love and understanding.
Louise Hay
Louise Hay believes angina arises from a lack of self-expression and freedom, a mindset of suppressing negative emotions and angry or offensive words. It’s also about fear, repressed feelings, and unexpressed creative potential. For healing, the psychologist suggests using affirmations like, “There are no limits for me, I can be free and be myself at any time,” “Now all the good in me flows freely. I am a conduit of Divine thoughts. Peace reigns in my soul.”
V. Zhikarentsev
V. Zhikarentsev sees the cause in unmet needs, fear, inability to stand up for oneself, to defend one’s views. For healing, the psychosomatist recommends the affirmation: “Every person from birth has the right to have their needs considered. I easily and freely ask for what I want.”
Valery Sinelnikov
Valery Sinelnikov sees the cause in an inferiority complex. A person with this complex always finds reasons to blame and belittle themselves: appearance, thoughts, actions, desires, etc. In this case, you need to fight excessive self-criticism and strive for self-acceptance. The second reason – criticism of other people. For healing, it’s essential to learn to accept the peculiarities of others.
Therapy for Psychosomatic Angina and Tonsillitis
First, you can reflect on the problem yourself. Ask yourself a few questions:
- Why do you feel safer when demeaning yourself and convincing yourself of your own insignificance? How does this behavior help you?
- Analyze your emotions. Find the anger, longing, sorrow, and resentment living inside you. Who are they directed at? What are they associated with?
- Was there a situation in your life when you were unfairly accused of something or punished, and you couldn’t influence it or stand up for yourself?
- Were you manipulated as a child using feelings of guilt and shame? How did you feel about it?
- What do you regret the most in life? Or what causes constant sad memories?
If a child is sick, analyze the relationships between the mother and father. Think about whether the child lacks attention, love, and care.
Treatment
For inflammation of the tonsils, visit an otolaryngologist and a psychologist (psychotherapist). The otolaryngologist will conduct a medical examination, prescribe medication to eliminate symptoms and destroy the virus, and the psychotherapist will help find the deep cause of the illness and develop a rehabilitation plan. If a child is sick, the whole family should attend the consultation with the psychologist.
Treatment includes group, individual, family psychotherapy, as well as:
- Hypnosis;
- Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy;
- Neurolinguistic programming;
- Psychoanalysis;
- Neurometabolic therapy (taking psychoactive drugs). Sometimes the psychotherapist prescribes nootropic drugs, dehydration agents, antidepressants, vascular drugs.
Important! Do not self-medicate! Only a doctor can prescribe medication, dosage, and treatment course.
Prevention
The best prevention is creative self-expression and relaxation while doing what you love. Find a hobby or passion. This is relevant for both children and adults. Any activities are suitable: sports, language learning, playing a musical instrument, team sports, drawing, etc.
Furthermore, find other sources of positivity. Strive to make your whole life joyful. Allow yourself to be yourself, tailor your life to your peculiarities. Perhaps it’s time to change your job or field of work, your social circle, renovate your home, or transform yourself externally.