Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Introduction to Psychosomatics
Course Code
VPUPK_368
Branch of Science
Psychology
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Psychology
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time; Part-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Gunita Skaldere-Darmudasa
Structure Unit Manager
Kristīne Mārtinsone
Structural Unit
Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy
Contacts
Riga, 16 Dzirciema Street, Riga, vppk@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
Provide students with basic knowledge of the theoretical basics of Psychosomatics, the interaction between body and psyche, as well as the role of psychological factors in the health and disease process. The course promotes a holistic view of human and health.
Preliminary Knowledge
Biological basics of the psyche, personality psychology, Clinical psychology, developmental psychology, individual counselling.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Explains basic concepts of Psychosomatics, key theoretical directions and biopsychosocial approaches in terms of health. Describes the role of psychological factors (stress, emotion, personality) in the development and progress of psychosomatic disorders.
Skills
1.Simple clinical or descriptive cases shall be analysed, identifying possible psychosomatic factors. Apply a psychosomatic approach to explaining health problems by integrating psychological and biological aspects.
Competences
1.More critical is the importance and constraints of the psychosomatic approach in modern healthcare. Argues for a holistic approach to health promotion and disease prevention.
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Knowledge self-test |
60.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Students complete a knowledge test, on the theoretical themes of the course, which consists of 10 questions. For every question answered correctly, a student scores 1. The score equals the balls. |
||
Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Examination |
40.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Students complete a written exam. PART I: 16 test questions - 1 score for each correct answer; PART II: 4 open type questions. Students analyze, demonstrate understanding, describe psychosomatic processes. Gets 1 point for each correct answer. Maximum score - 20. Points run equal to balls: 2 points = 1 ball. |
||
|
2.
Practical class attendance |
-
|
-
|
|
||
Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
History of psychosomatic medicine. Biopsychosocial model. The role of neuroscience in psychosomatic medicine. Alexitimia and psychosomatic vulnerability.
Description
The role of neuroscience in psychosomatic medicine. Alexitimia and psychosomatic vulnerability. Stress and adaptation - psychological and physiological adaptation mechanisms. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
History of psychosomatic medicine. Biopsychosocial model. The role of neuroscience in psychosomatic medicine. Alexitimia and psychosomatic vulnerability.
Description
The role of neuroscience in psychosomatic medicine. Alexitimia and psychosomatic vulnerability. Stress and adaptation - psychological and physiological adaptation mechanisms. |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
History of psychosomatic medicine. Biopsychosocial model. The role of neuroscience in psychosomatic medicine. Alexitimia and psychosomatic vulnerability.
Description
The role of neuroscience in psychosomatic medicine. Alexitimia and psychosomatic vulnerability. Stress and adaptation - psychological and physiological adaptation mechanisms. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Emotion and emotion regulation in psychosomatic processes.
Description
The role of emotions in health and sickness, the suppression, expression and regulation of emotions. Alexitimia and psychosomatic disorders. Personality factors and psychosomatic disorders. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Emotion and emotion regulation in psychosomatic processes.
Description
The role of emotions in health and sickness, the suppression, expression and regulation of emotions. Alexitimia and psychosomatic disorders. Personality factors and psychosomatic disorders. |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Emotion and emotion regulation in psychosomatic processes.
Description
The role of emotions in health and sickness, the suppression, expression and regulation of emotions. Alexitimia and psychosomatic disorders. Personality factors and psychosomatic disorders. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
The most common psychosomatic disorder.
Description
Psychosomatic disorders of the digestive system. Endocrine disruptions. Reproductive disorders. Cardiovascular and respiratory disorders. Skin diseases, chronic pain and fatigue syndromes. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
The most common psychosomatic disorder.
Description
Psychosomatic disorders of the digestive system. Endocrine disruptions. Reproductive disorders. Cardiovascular and respiratory disorders. Skin diseases, chronic pain and fatigue syndromes. |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
The most common psychosomatic disorder.
Description
Psychosomatic disorders of the digestive system. Endocrine disruptions. Reproductive disorders. Cardiovascular and respiratory disorders. Skin diseases, chronic pain and fatigue syndromes. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Psychosomatic development of somatic distortion or body distress disorder.
Description
Characterisation of somatoform disorders, psychosocial factors. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Psychosomatic development of somatic distortion or body distress disorder.
Description
Characterisation of somatoform disorders, psychosocial factors. |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Psychosomatic development of somatic distortion or body distress disorder.
Description
Characterisation of somatoform disorders, psychosocial factors. |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Case analysis.
Description
Emotions. Alexitimia. Psychosomatic vulnerability. Protective mechanisms for the psyche. |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Case analysis.
Description
Recognition of mechanisms for the protection of the psyche, determination of the level of functioning of the personality in the given case descriptions. Analysis of psychosocial factors and health disorders within the framework of a biopsychosocial model. |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Case analysis.
Description
Recognition of mechanisms for the protection of the psyche, determination of the level of functioning of the personality in the given case descriptions. Analysis of psychosocial factors and health disorders within the framework of a biopsychosocial model. |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Case analysis.
Description
Identification of somatoform or body distress disorders, related factors in the given case. |
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
32 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
PART-TIME
Part 1
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
History of psychosomatic medicine. Biopsychosocial model. The role of neuroscience in psychosomatic medicine. Alexitimia and psychosomatic vulnerability.
Description
The role of neuroscience in psychosomatic medicine. Alexitimia and psychosomatic vulnerability. Stress and adaptation - psychological and physiological adaptation mechanisms. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Emotion and emotion regulation in psychosomatic processes.
Description
The role of emotions in health and sickness, the suppression, expression and regulation of emotions. Alexitimia and psychosomatic disorders. Personality factors and psychosomatic disorders. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
The most common psychosomatic disorder.
Description
Psychosomatic disorders of the digestive system. Endocrine disruptions. Reproductive disorders. Cardiovascular and respiratory disorders. Skin diseases, chronic pain and fatigue syndromes. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Psychosomatic development of somatic distortion or body distress disorder.
Description
Characterisation of somatoform disorders, psychosocial factors. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Psychosomatic development of somatic distortion or body distress disorder.
Description
Characterisation of somatoform disorders, psychosocial factors. |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Case analysis.
Description
Emotions. Alexitimia. Psychosomatic vulnerability. Protective mechanisms for the psyche. |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Case analysis.
Description
Recognition of mechanisms for the protection of the psyche, determination of the level of functioning of the personality in the given case descriptions. Analysis of psychosocial factors and health disorders within the framework of a biopsychosocial model. |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Case analysis.
Description
Identification of somatoform or body distress disorders, related factors in the given case. |
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
16 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Fritzsche, K., McDaniel, S.H., Wirsching, M. (eds.) (2020). Psychosomatic medicine. 2nd ed., Springer
2.
The American Psychiatric Publishing textbook of psychosomatic medicine / edited by James L. Levenson. - Washington, DC; London: American Psychiatric Publishing, (2019).
3.
Aisenstein, M., Rappoport de Aisemberg, E. (2010). Psychosomatics today: a psychoanalytic perspective. London: Routledge. (e-book)
4.
Mārtinsone, K. un Sudraba, V. (zin.red.). (2019). Veselības psiholoģija. Teorijas un prakses starpdisciplinārā perspektīva. Rīga: RSU.
Additional Reading
1.
Gubb, K. (2013). Psychosomatics today: a review of contemporary theory and practice. Psychoanalytic Review, 100(1), 103–142.
2.
Lövheim, H. (2012). A new three-dimensional model for emotions and monoamine neurotransmitters. Medical Hypotheses. 78 (2): 341–348.
3.
Mārtinsone, K. un Miltuze, A. (2015). Psiholoģija, I daļa. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC.
4.
Mārtinsone, K. un Miltuze, A. (2015). Psiholoģija, II daļa. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC. 11.nodaļa “Personība”; 13.nodaļa “Veselība un slimība psiholoģijā”.
5.
Lapiņa K. (2006). Psihosomatiskās sakarības. Un mūsdienu cilvēks. Rīga: Librum.
Other Information Sources
1.
Psychosomatic Medicine Available from: http://journals.lww.com/psychosomaticmedicine/
2.
Psychosomatics. Available from: http://www.psychosomaticsjournal.com/
3.
Journal of Psychosomatic Research. Available from: http://www.jpsychores.com/