The Psychology Of Asthma
The Psychology Of Asthma
Asthma is a chronic affection of the lungs, wherein the person finds it extremely difficult to breathe. Mild breathlessness may not be serious, but severe impediment can sometimes be.
The process:
There are 3 factors that lead to this difficulty in breathing;
- Spasm of the bronchial muscles that cause a narrowing of the air passage, leading to difficulty in breathing
- Swelling of the internal mucosal layer of the bronchi that leads to further narrowing of air passages
- Increased mucus secretions that clog the air passages affecting the exchange of gases (oxygen and CO2).
Weakening of lung tissues from infections or inflammatory conditions in early childhood can be predisposing factors. Triggering factors can be;
- Exercise induced
- Allergy induced
- Pollution induced
There is no treatment as per the allopathic system of medicine, which considers this disease as non-curable. However, evidence shows reduction in the frequency, duration and intensity of the episodes following Yoga practices with effective Stress Management.
The Psychology of Asthma:
Allergies can be seen as the physical expressions of mental sensitivities. The two responses of sensitivities can be either;
- Crankiness or irritable behaviour
- Suppressive or brooding behaviour.
The intensity of these two types of behaviours can usually be seen as proportional to the intensity of the asthmatic episode, though more commonly, it relates with the suppression of emotions, esp. anger.
