-IBIS-1.5.0-
tx
cutaneous system
alopecia
psychospiritual approaches

metaphors and correlations

• Fear; tension; trying to control everything; not trusting the process of life. (Hay, 1984, p. 155)
• Autonomic activity associated with anxiety and nervousness are correlated with physiological changes precipitating hair loss. (Locke, 1986, p. 146)
• Results of a study of 48 patients with A.A. are consistent with the view of this as an autoimmune disorder related to reduced T-cell function. There exists evidence that stressful events, such as bereavement, in men can influence the cellular immune system by means of the hypothalamus, endocrine, and autonomic systems, diseases of which are often associated with alopecia areata. (Locke, 1983, p. 102)

Chinese psychophysiology:
Lung ~ Fei governs the Qi; is the home of the Po (Corporeal Soul); it relates to strength and sustainability; and manifests through the body hair.
» Healthy expressions are righteousness and courage.
»
Weakness, dysfunction, and illness are associated with excessive grief, sadness, worry, and depression. Worry depletes the Lung Qi.
» Lung Xu (Deficiency)
signs include cold shoulder and back; changing complexion; inability to sleep (Seem, p. 28); shortness of breath; changes in urine color; rumbling in the bowels with loose bowel movements; pallor; malar flush; chills; sniffles; sneezing; light cough; and sensitivity to cold.

Kidney ~ Shen stores Jing (Essence) and governs birth, growth, reproduction, development, and aging; houses the Zhi (Will); expresses ambition and focus; manifests in the head hair, and displays the debilitating aspects of aging.
»
Healthy expressions are gentleness, groundedness, and endurance.
» Kidney Xu (Deficiency) signs include indecisiveness; confused speech; dreams of trees submerged under water; cold feet and legs; abundant sweating (Seem, p. 28); hearing loss; fearfulness; apathy; chronic fatigue; discouragement; scatteredness; lack of will; negativity; impatience; difficult inhalation; low sex drive; lumbago; sciatica; and musculoskeletal irritation and inflammation, especially when worse from touch.
» Intense or prolonged fear depletes the Kidney. Often chronic anxiety may induce Xu (Deficiency) and then Fire within the Kidney. (Maciocia, p. 250) Overwork, parenting, simple aging, and a sedentary or excessively indulgent lifestyle all contribute significantly to Kidney Xu (Deficiency).


therapies

behavior modification:
• Systematic desensitization and relaxation restores nearly complete hair growth in 6 months in a 20 year old male with 4 year history of alopecia areata. Both rate and duration of growth exceeded that reported in dermatological literature. (Locke, 1986, p. 142-3)

affirmation:
• I am safe.
• I love and approve of myself. (Hay, 1984, p. 155)

theotherapy:
(skin problems) Dionysus, Heracles, Orestes, Pelops (Lemesurier, p. 115)

process paradigm: (experientially oriented)
• What is the symptom preventing me from doing? What is the symptom making me do? (see process interview: cutaneous system)

In materia medica, related materia medica listings:
the shadow and physical symptoms
converting a signal to a symptom
behavior modification techniques (see also: systematic desensitization)
affirmations: guidelines and precautions
theotherapy
process paradigm


footnotes