Urban Myth?

[iansull]

You often hear,when people have recovered from coma's etc..,that they survived because they were strong willed or never gave up or he/she is a fighter

surely your body will take its normal course of action regardless?

do we say this just because its the nature of humans to do so or can it actually help?

[968]

iansull said:

You often hear,when people have recovered from coma's etc..,that they survived because they were strong willed or never gave up or he/she is a fighter surely your body will take its normal course of action regardless? do we say this just because its the nature of humans to do so or can it actually help?

No one really knows. Perhaps such things are said to provide support for the family, perhaps they are true, but it is certainly speculation.

[JonRB]

I believe that the link between the body and mind is far stronger than conventional Western beliefs would warrant.

The Eastern religions recognise the strong link, hence Qi, acupuncture, etc.

So to some extent, I do think that the mind can influence the body's healing.

[yertis]

JonRB said:

I believe that the link between the body and mind is far stronger than conventional Western beliefs would warrant. The Eastern religions recognise the strong link, hence Qi, acupuncture, etc. So to some extent, I do think that the mind can influence the body's healing.

I'm absolutely positive this is true. I never understand how it is quacks (respect to Dr.s present ) are quick to diagnose "stress related illness" but pour scorn on curing ailments by positive thinking. Surely it cuts both ways.

[SiH]

As far as I recall studies have been performed into this and the evidence suggests that the 'will' of the patient doesn't really make a great deal of difference to the outcome. Obviously this is all a bit sketchy as it's difficult to compare this sort of thing but it's probably better to give patients the idea that positive attitude is better (mostly because it makes them easier to treat ). One of the things that really upsets me is when people completely abandon conventional treatment and try quite leftfield alternatives. Barry Sheene did this (IIRC) and unfortunately passed away shortly afterwards. I understand that it's entirely up to the individual which course of treatment they wish to pursue but I'm sure there have been lots of cases in which the patient has chosen to ignore conventional medicine and died needlessly as a result.

[lazyitus]

JonRB said:

I believe that the link between the body and mind is far stronger than conventional Western beliefs would warrant.

Dead right!

As I missed the head of the nail with my heavy hammer, I was convinced it was going to hurt. And boy, did it ever!

[shadowninja]

yertis said:

JonRB said: I believe that the link between the body and mind is far stronger than conventional Western beliefs would warrant. The Eastern religions recognise the strong link, hence Qi, acupuncture, etc. So to some extent, I do think that the mind can influence the body's healing. I'm absolutely positive this is true. I never understand how it is quacks (respect to Dr.s present ) are quick to diagnose "stress related illness" but pour scorn on curing ailments by positive thinking. Surely it cuts both ways.

interesting idea. i like.

anyway, didn't they do an experiment, giving one set of patients a proper tablet and the other set 'fake' tablets made of chalk? result was both sets recovered from whatever illness they had.

[imperialism2024]

I think it's moreso that someone with a bad attitude can harm their health than someone with a positive attitude can improve their health. For example, hypochondria...