Dr. Martina Melzer, updated: 10/12/2023

Important notes in advance:

• In so-called mind-body syndromes, abnormalities are often found in special examinations, but there is usually no organ or tissue damage.

• Always have new symptoms thoroughly clarified by a doctor. It may be a mind-body syndrome, but it may also be another disease, or it may be a combination of both.

• The mind-body perspective does not have to be a contradiction to the conventional medical view. The two can complement each other well. The limiting thing about conventional medicine is often: it is primarily about treating the symptoms and managing the disease. It is less about seeing the whole person with his history and therefore holistically promoting his health.

ME/CFS

Long Covid / Post-Covid-Syndrome

Chronic Lyme Disease

POTS

Fibromyalgia

IBS

Burnout

Post-Vac-Syndrome

Definition according to conventional medicine: The abbreviation ME/CFS stands for: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. ME/CFS was classified as a neurological disease, i.e., a disease of the nervous system, by the World Health Organization (WHO) as early as 1969.
 
Typical symptoms: These three symptoms must be present: Pronounced exhaustion (fatigue) and marked difficulty in performing social, occupational and private activities, this condition has existed for at least six months, deterioration of condition after physical, mental or emotional activity ( = post-exertional malaise, PEM), non-restorative sleep. In addition, there must be either cognitive problems, for example, word-finding problems, forgetfulness, "fogginess" ( = brainfog). Or there is orthostatic intolerance, i.e. certain complaints when moving from a lying to a sitting position, or to a standing position.

Conventional medical view: ME/CFS is considered a neuroimmunological multisystem disease. In scientific studies, for example, abnormalities are found in the immune system, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, autonomic nervous system, intestine and energy metabolism. A genetic predisposition increases the risk of getting ME/CFS. ME/CFS is considered incurable. There are no recognized therapies to date. Triggers are often viral infections or other infections. Stress increases the likelihood of getting ME/CFS.

Mind-body perspective: ME/CFS is a form of mind-body syndrome, which is a result of chronic stress, stressful childhood experiences, and/or trauma. The brain and nervous system are stuck in survival mode. Psychoneuroimmunology can be used to explain the multiple symptoms and physical abnormalities. The medical term states that the psyche, nervous system, endocrine system and immune system interact with each other. Through knowledge, a suitable mindset, lifestyle changes, brain training and inner work - i.e. a holistic approach - a significant improvement or even full recovery is definitely possible.

Definition according to conventional medicine: Anyone who has symptoms for more than four weeks after the acute phase of illness of a SARS-CoV-2 infection is referred to as long covid. If the symptoms persist for more than three months, doctors call it post-Covid syndrome. The clinical picture described here should be distinguished from other sequelae of Covid-19 infection in which organ and tissue damage occur.

Typical symptoms: Fatigue, concentration and thinking problems, headaches, muscle and/or joint pain, sleep disturbances, muscle weakness, hair loss, circulatory problems, altered sense of smell and taste, shortness of breath. Excessive physical, emotional or mental activity worsens the condition (as in ME/CFS).

Conventional medical view: According to studies, many people recover in the weeks or months after covid infection. However, a proportion continue to have symptoms and often meet the criteria for ME/CFS or other syndromes after six months of illness. Many medications and other therapies are being tested. Some people benefit, others do not.

Mind-body perspective: Post-Covid Syndrome (without organ or tissue damage) is a form of Mind-Body Syndrome which is a result of chronic stress, stressful childhood experiences and/or trauma. The brain and nervous system are stuck in survival mode. Psychoneuroimmunology can be used to explain the multiple symptoms and physical abnormalities. The medical term states that the psyche, nervous system, endocrine system and immune system interact with each other. Through knowledge, a suitable mindset, lifestyle changes, brain training and inner work - i.e. a holistic approach - a significant improvement or even complete recovery is definitely possible. Also conventional therapies, for example in the context of rehabilitation, can help.

Definition: Acute Lyme borreliosis and neuroborreliosis is without doubt a serious disease that should definitely be treated with appropriate antibiotics. Whether there is a chronic form of progression is disputed among physicians and scientists. Rather, it is the so-called Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS), which doctors refer to when symptoms persist for more than 6 months after an acute Lyme disease, but no organic causes can be found.

Typical symptoms: Fatigue, joint pain, concentration problems, muscle pain, brainfog, circulatory problems.

Conventional medical view: Longer-term antibiotic administration has not been successful in studies. The aim is to alleviate the symptoms.

Mind-Body Perspective: As with the other syndromes, Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome is a form of mind-body syndrome that is a result of chronic stress, stressful childhood experiences, and/or trauma. The brain and nervous system are stuck in survival mode. Psychoneuroimmunology can be used to explain the multiple symptoms and physical abnormalities. The medical term states that the psyche, nervous system, endocrine system and immune system interact with each other. Through knowledge, a suitable mindset, lifestyle changes, brain training and inner work - i.e. a holistic approach - a significant improvement or even complete recovery is definitely possible.

Definition: The abbreviation POTS stands for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. POTS is a so-called dysautonomia, i.e. a malfunction of the autonomic nervous system. There are different forms of this disorder.

Typical symptoms: The most characteristic symptom is palpitations when standing or changing position. However, lack of energy, headache, brainfog, fatigue, muscle weakness, chest pain, general feeling of weakness, dizziness, fainting, tremors, bluish discolored feet or legs, and gastrointestinal problems also occur.

Conventional medical view: POTS is recognized as a malfunction of the autonomic nervous system. Also, that the immune system is involved has been studied. The goal is to relieve symptoms and manage the disease.

Mind-body perspective: As with the other syndromes, POTS is a form of mind-body syndrome, which is a result of chronic stress, stressful childhood experiences and/or trauma. The brain and nervous system are stuck in survival mode. Psychoneuroimmunology can be used to explain the multiple symptoms and physical abnormalities. The medical term states that the psyche, nervous system, endocrine system and immune system interact with each other. Through knowledge, a suitable mindset, lifestyle changes, brain training and inner work - i.e. a holistic approach - a significant improvement or even complete recovery is definitely possible.

Definition: Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome characterized by pain occurring over a large area in various parts of the body.

Typical symptoms: Pain can occur in the arms, legs, back, chest, abdomen, spine, neck, and head. They can burn, sting, tingle, pinch, feel like aching limbs. In addition to chronic pain, there are often sleep problems, fatigue and cognitive impairment.

Conventional medical view: According to the latest scientific findings, central sensitization, i.e. overreactivity of the central nervous system, is considered the cause of fibromyalgia. Treatment concepts are primarily aimed at alleviating symptoms and improving quality of life. However, there is a trend toward a more holistic approach.

Mind-body perspective: As with the other syndromes, fibromyalgia is a form of mind-body syndrome, which is a result of chronic stress, stressful childhood experiences and/or trauma. The brain and nervous system are stuck in survival mode. Psychoneuroimmunology can be used to explain the multiple symptoms and physical abnormalities. The medical term states that the psyche, nervous system, endocrine system and immune system interact with each other. Through knowledge, an appropriate mindset, lifestyle changes, brain training and inner work - in other words, a holistic approach - significant improvement or even complete recovery is definitely possible. Conventional medical therapies, for example in the context of rehabilitation or multimodal pain therapy, can also help.

Definition: In irritable bowel syndrome, according to current knowledge, the interaction between the autonomic nervous system and the intestinal nervous system is disturbed - the gut-brain axis is out of balance. Some scientists thus distinguish irritable bowel syndrome from the numerous food intolerances that also trigger irritable bowel symptoms. There are different subtypes in which constipation, diarrhea or flatulence are the main symptoms.

Typical symptoms: Depending on the subtype, constipation, diarrhea, feeling of incomplete bowel emptying, bloating, flatulence, abdominal cramps, fatigue, headaches, mood swings.

Conventional medical view: Treatment concepts are primarily aimed at alleviating symptoms and improving quality of life. However, there is a trend toward a more holistic approach.

Mind-body perspective: As with the other syndromes, IBS is a form of mind-body syndrome, which is a result of chronic stress, stressful childhood experiences and/or trauma. The brain and nervous system are stuck in survival mode. Psychoneuroimmunology can be used to explain the multiple symptoms and physical abnormalities. The medical term states that the psyche, nervous system, endocrine system and immune system interact with each other. Through knowledge, an appropriate mindset, lifestyle changes, brain training and inner work - in other words, a holistic approach - significant improvement or even complete recovery is definitely possible. Some conventional medical therapies, for example hypnosis, can also help.

Definition: As usual, scientists disagree on how to define burnout syndrome. Some see it as an exhaustion depression related to work, a being burned out, others differentiate burnout from depression, for example by saying: a person with burn-out is in fighting mode, struggling for solutions, a person with depression is no longer fighting, is sad, melancholic. Of course, the boundaries are fluid. For me, adrenal fatigue, adrenal exhaustion, which has no structural cause, also belongs to this.

Typical symptoms: emotional and physical exhaustion, reduced performance, negative attitude towards work, withdrawal, inner emptiness, sleep disturbances, concentration problems, back pain, digestive problems, migraine.

Conventional medical view: Burnout is not a classic diagnosis in its own right. Treatment approaches often consist of psychotherapy, education, lifestyle changes, and sometimes medication.

Mind-body perspective: Burnout is a form of mind-body syndrome and a result of chronic stress, adverse childhood experiences, and/or trauma. The brain and nervous system are stuck in survival mode. Psychoneuroimmunology can be used to explain the multiple symptoms and physical abnormalities. The medical term states that the psyche, nervous system, endocrine system and immune system interact with each other. Through knowledge, an appropriate mindset, lifestyle changes, brain training and inner work - in other words, a holistic approach - significant improvement or even complete recovery is definitely possible. Conventional medical therapies, for example psychotherapy, can also help.

Definition: Since the Corona vaccination, the post-vac syndrome is increasingly found in the media. However, other vaccines also trigger such a syndrome in rare cases. Doctors use the term to refer to several possible sequelae of vaccinations. There are those that lead to organ and tissue damage and those that manifest themselves with regard to covid-19 such as long covid and with regard to other vaccines such as ME/CFS. This section is only about post-vaccine syndrome without organ and tissue damage.

Typical symptoms: Regarding Corona vaccine, symptoms are similar to those of Long Covid, and regarding other vaccines, to those of ME/CFS.

Conventional medical perspective:  Sequelae with organ or tissue damage require conventional medical therapy.

Mind-body perspective: In addition to the other possible sequelae, post-vaccine syndrome without organ or tissue damage could be a form of mind-body syndrome that can therefore be addressed holistically.

Chronic pain such as headaches and chronic back pain without organ, tissue damage or structural causes, endometriosis as well as interstitial cystitis can be understood as forms of mind-body syndrome after thorough clarification.

Mast cell activation syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and small fiber neuropathy have at least one mind-body component that is responsible for most symptoms.

Important: The statements in this text are the result of my research from scientific studies, professional articles, books, courses, education and training as well as my own recovery process. I have done the best possible research, but nevertheless make no claim to accuracy. In science, something is considered a hypothesis until it is clearly proven (or disproven). That is then evidence, a fact. The statements in this text are a combination of hypotheses and facts.

Also, the content on this page is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for talking to your doctor or other therapist. Please talk to your doctor or therapist before making any decisions about your physical or mental health. Every way into a mind-body syndrome is something individual, and every way out.