How would you summarize the state of the field of health psychology?
In relation to this week’s topic, Goswami (2004) believes that “at the heart of all illness and recovery is consciousness” (back cover). He discusses something he calls “mind as slayer,” which occurs when the body responds to something mental. For example, a student who is extremely stressed over final exams begins experiencing heart palpitations, which concerns him enough that he decides to skip the exams and go see a doctor. However, soon after he decides to skip the exams, the palpitations cease.
Conversely, there are “mind as healer” effects which occur when the mind heals the body. What are your thoughts on these phenomena?
How would you summarize the state of the field of health psychology? Why?