East Meets West: Body Symmetry and Mental Health

In terms of practicality we find the old time tested ways are the best. The past 30 years of medical science has witnessed the infusion of far eastern health practices. Most of these practices are in the form of self-help as opposed to being strictly medicinal. They are considered as corrective and preventative and require the affected person's participation on a nearly daily basis.

One good example of enhancing physical health in this manner are body cleansing practices. The deliberate use of specific foods, nasal irrigation and enemas have been gaining acceptance in traditional allopathic medicine. The flushing out of toxins in specific regions of the body has been found to reduce the onset of degenerative disease in several studies.

So how does this relate to mental health, anxiety and mood? One aspect that can be borrowed from eastern medicine in enriching our emotional well-being is the concept of body symmetry. When we feel balance in our body this manufactures confidence and an air of self-content. We maintain a physical posture and development of evenness throughout our body. A recent study (Prokosch,Yeo, Miller,2005) has now indicated that environmental factors have an effect on the even development of one side of the body compared to the other. That is to say the way we move and the conditions we are exposed to effects this even sided development. The prominent and distinguished use of right-handiness, for instance, will cause a relative atrophy in the left arm and hands. Do keep in mind that perfect symmetry is an absolute, a perfection that we can all strive for but never perfectly obtain.

There are several discovered correlations between body symmetry and depression, intelligence and cognitive skill (see Prokosch et all, 2005 and Thornhill, 2002 for instance). Other studies find a correlation between body symmetry and posture and how positively we are received in courtship and in business presentations. When others around us perceive us in a positive manner, we feel better about ourselves.

Other studies by M. Sathiamurthi measure the symmetry of body auras (the Yoga and Tantra term is "chakras") by examining electromagnetic fields around our body. He has found a correlation with people who are mentally disturbed or physically ill and a significant asymmetry of these auras.

Correcting the asymmetry and finding better mental health can be achieved through some simple day to day practices. Two of the SRT exercises I discuss in the three part 'Treating Anxiety," incorporate the use of body symmetry. Body awareness and movement emphasized the smooth and deliberate movement and posture with an emphasis on balance and equal distribution of weight. This day to day, moment to moment practice will help promote and maintain body symmetry. Transcendental meditation exudes the importance of sitting in a symmetrical position to promote that relaxed state and peace of mind. This posture during meditation is thought to correct the distorted body auras and physical manifestations of asymmetry.

Another exercise to help achieve body balance can be done laying down, in bed. Lay on your back in the "dead man's position," with your arm extended fully along your side. Try your best to make everything "equal" on both sides, the slight bend in your knees, the formation of your fingers in your hands (preferably slightly bent with your palms facing outwards). Attempt to equally align and distribute your weigh along your back and spine. Feel the balance of both sides of your body being at the same time equal components forming that feeling of "oneness."

In this position, begin to examine specific dualistic elements of your body, Start with the top of your head. Feel the muscle tension on your forehead and the sinus tension below. Say to yourself "as one side feels, does the other"? Make slight adjustments by moving your neck to try to achieve the feeling of sameness on both sides. Another technique to achieving this balance is a bit more difficult to describe. It is simply focusing or "willing" that sameness and symmetry. Use your mind's strength to achieve this balanced feeling.

Continue the checklist down your head, include your eyes, nostrils and mouth. Work down your arms and hands. Try to mimic the exact position and muscle tension in your biceps, forearms and hands, for both sides, left and right. Do the same with the various facets of your legs and feet, saying "as one side, so the other side."

You will feel this amazing balance and harmony and a state of content and relaxation you have never felt before. With practice you will drift into a semiconscious state while still maintaining this personal balance. The healing of body and mind will be profound.

With current research data supporting the importance of symmetry to improved mood and adjustment, the benefit of striving for the perfect bodily state can only have a direct impact on your overall happiness and feeling of confidence and self-worth.

Treatment Considerations and a Case Study

This is my first day "on the blog," so I am giving treatment considerations and a case study in lieu of advice. This will not be my usual format, but an opportunity to see how I approach one on one therapy.

Life in this modern world zips by. We are in a fast-paced society that is fueled by impulsively and the need for immediate gratification. To compliment this facet of society, professional and self-help must be geared for a quick solution to a presenting problem.

In the realm of psychotherapy, long gone are the days of an elaborate clinical course utilizing psychoanalytic techniques. The recline on the couch and the reciting of childhood memories have been outmoded due to the restrictions of managed health care, the time constraints and personal demands of the client.

Solution-focused therapy holds the belief that the client has already done allot of deliberate internalizing regarding "the problem." When they present to a therapist, assuming they are fairly high functioning, the process of solving the problem is already well underway. It is the therapist's job to identify the stumbling blocks, obstacles or where the client got stuck in trying to resolve their issues along the way. The therapist may present some ideas to overcome these obstacles that were not previously considered by the client. He/she may propose ways to alter or "tweak" approaches that have already been attempted.

It would be easy but ineffective to mechanize therapy and categorize presenting problems and create pat answers and solutions for those in need. This is where adept and advanced listening skills come into play. The active listener will absorb the details and nuances of the situation and be able to hypothetically place themselves in the clients’s realm while having an appreciation of their background, personality, demeanor and deficits and attributes. I call this ability "Individualizing," the ability to immerse one's self into the present day challenges of the client with an appreciation of their past experience, present dilemma and future aspirations and dreams. I suppose a frivolous analogy could be made with the sci-fi "mind melding" fantasy. This treatment approach is selfless, time consuming and requires a tremendous amount of energy. But I would argue that is the only way to be an effective behavioral counselor. The complicated problem solving process can not take place without these devote approaches to therapy.

A case study:

Korrina was a 35 year old divorced female. She had 2 children and was in skilled trades. She presented as anxious and depressed. She stated she was in a "committed" relationship of almost 2 years. She complained that the relationship was not going anywhere. The commitment she spoke of was very arbitrary and ill defined. Her partner often referred to his own personal freedom as a means to avoid any obligation or emotional support to her. When she would make the subtlest of demands from him, he would castigate and demean her. He felt that she was always trying to pin him down and their weekend plans were often not settled until a day or 2 before they got together.

She realized that they wanted 2 completely different things in this relationship. She had tried to leave him a couple times, but a physical attachment had been formed and the idea of "starting all over again," seemed difficult. The idea of finding someone accepting of her and her preadolescent children, her past failed relationships and her busy work schedule made dumping her self-absorbed friend and finding the "right one" seem like an impossible task. She knew the current relationship was unhealthy to the point of fueling her anxiety and depression, but the physical attachment to her current partner and the belief that she was not "good enough," based on her past failed relationships kept her from moving on.

Korrina was at that immobilized or "stuck" point I referred to earlier. She was an intelligent, emotionally mature woman and had tried to change her life for the better in the past. As her therapist I had to identify the hurdles she had to overcome to solve her problem. It was also my task to identify what assets she had to overcome these obstacles and give her the confidence to operationalize the agents of change.

She had got as far as realizing the poor quality of her relationship and attempting to break things off. The obstacles were her perceived physical and emotional attachment and the belief that she wasn't capable or didn't "deserve" a healthy relationship.

One quick revelation I gave to her was how intertwined these 2 obstacles were. She had been programmed by her current partner to believe that she was inadequate to obtain the closeness she longed for in a relationship. In convincing her of these inadequacies she felt more and more dependent on him. Her physical dependence was not formed from admiration and genuine affection but the irrational belief that she was destined to be in a relationship where her partner was aloof and uncaring. She may have loved him, but for all of the wrong reasons.

The disappointment of her divorce and subsequent failed relationships had made her lose sight of what a healthy relationship was and discard the belief they could exist. I gave her examples of healthy relationship and encouraged her to describe some couples she personally knew who had been happy a long time. We kicked around what made them successful relationships. She began to appreciate that although there may be no prince charming or perfect man for her as she may have expected from a developmental, adolescent schema she had developed, there were healthy relationships out there.

The next task was getting her to refute the demeaning observations that her partner had made to her. He was trying to program her in such a way to keep her under his thumb. Without being flattering or flirtatious I contested his observations about her personality and appearance and help invigorate her self-esteem. I pointed to many of her outstanding personal qualities.

The identification of these personal strengths signaled the next phase of therapy. She was professionally employed in trades, committed to family life and of strong Christian faith. Her ability to love her children and God made an easy transition to self-love and a renewed confidence.

She had tried dating sites in the past, ones geared towards the general population and Christian oriented ones. She had always give them a half-hearted try because the thought of returning to the unhealthy relationship was always there and seemed like an easy way out. And the notion that she was truly in love. This obstacle was now removed due to the recent appreciation of how badly she had been treated, the realization that there was something better out there for her and her more positive self-concept. She began a more vigorous approach to Internet dating. More important she realized the value of her beliefs and children and gleaned the support of church and family. She had become more content, happy for who she was and not beholden to anyone.

After sometime dating several men she found someone who fit her values and beliefs and is fortunate enough to feel the genuine benefits of having someone whom is loving, considerate and caring and appreciates that she gives him all of these things in return. A happy ending.

To review the course of treatment and to try to step-by-step a very personalized process: 1) An identification of "the problem (in the context of the client's personal experience)," and where the client was at in terms of already solving that problem. 2) Specifically pinpointing the obstacles that were cause for the client to fall short of bettering her life. 3) The refuting of irrational beliefs, cognitive errors and long-held schema that were cause for emotional and mental paralysis and 4) The operalization of the client's strengths and assets in overcoming the pinpointed obstacles.

This is an example my approach to therapy. I am eclectic enough to use any modern treatment approach for the betterment of the client. In this case study, short-term, solution focused, cognitive-behavioral and strengths/asset based therapy were the recipe for my client’s betterment. May I leave you with a poem by Bessie Stanley:

Success

To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.

This is to have succeeded.

Ask Dr. Memory

To the Humble Masses:

I am venturing into the advice column realm. I am doing this at the encouragement of friends and as a bit of fun. I am a trained psychotherapist and I wonder how well being an adept one on one therapist translates into general advice.

The format for the blog will consist of taking emails from interested readers regarding some disturbing, disruptive or debilitating personal or relationship issues. I will then post select answers to help the person cope and problem solve these issues. If enough emails are generated, I am going to pledge to answers ALL emails personally if their questions do not get on the site. I want to emphasize ANONYMITY and CONFIDENTIALITY for all inquirers.

You can send your personal questions/dilemmas to drmemory@hotmail.com


To enhance the bit of fun aspect, I will occasionally post a "spoof reply," One that contains ridiculous and absurd advice. These will be laden with cynicism and satire and will be a "how not to" primer for advice bloggers. They will be labeled as such for the easily confused or mislead.

OK lets get this thing rolling, throw caution into the wind while I check my liability coverage.

thanks,
Jeff


Ask Dr. Memory Advice Blog by Jeffrey Deneau is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.


disclaimer: I am not a real doctor, but I do have a Master of Social Work degree and several certifications, including those for the treatment of anxiety, depressive and bipolar disorders, substance abuse and couples counseling. I have over 30 years experience in this field.
The advice given here is not intended to be a substitute for psychotherapy or psychiatric intervention; rather it is intended as a means of basic asessment and possible referral to a professional source.