Book
The Divided Mind
400 pages · 2007 · Rating 2.8
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The Divided Mind is the crowning achievement of Dr. John E. Sarnos distinguished career as a groundbreaking medical pioneer, going beyond pain to address the entire spectrum of psychosomatic (mindbody) disorders. The interaction between the generally reasonable, rational, ethical, moral conscious mind and the repressed feelings of emotional pain, hurt, sadness, and anger characteristic of the unconscious mind appears to be the basis for mindbody disorders. The Divided Mind traces the history of psychosomatic medicine, including Freuds crucial role, and describes the psychology responsible for the broad range of psychosomatic illness. The failure of medicines practitioners to recognize and appropriately treat mindbody disorders has produced public health and economic problems of major proportions in the United States. One of the most important aspects of psychosomatic phenomena is that knowledge and awareness of the process clearly have healing powers. Thousands of people have become pain-free simply by reading Dr. Sarnos previous books. How and why this happens is a fascinating story, and is revealed in The Divided Mind.
In The Divided Mind, John Sarno explores the concept of the mind-body connection. He suggests that many physical ailments are actually caused by psychological factors. This means that our mental state can directly impact our physical health. So, if you're constantly feeling unwell, it might be worth looking into your mental and emotional health.
Sarno digs into the idea that repressed emotions can lead to physical pain. He believes that our bodies might manifest pain as a way to distract us from dealing with emotional issues. So, if you're experiencing chronic pain, it might be a good idea to check if there are any unresolved emotional issues you need to address.
The Divided Mind also explores the role of fear in perpetuating pain. Sarno suggests that fear of pain can actually make it worse. This means that by learning to manage your fear, you might be able to reduce your pain. It's definitely something worth researching if you're dealing with chronic pain.
John Sarno introduces the concept of knowledge therapy in his book. He believes that understanding the psychological causes of pain can help in its treatment. So, if you're struggling with pain, it might be helpful to learn more about its psychological aspects.
Sarno isn't afraid to critique traditional medical approaches in The Divided Mind. He argues that they often fail to consider the psychological causes of physical ailments. This book encourages us to see the limitations of traditional medicine and to explore alternative approaches to health and wellness.
