TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEORETICAL RESEARCH IN PSYCHOSOMATICS. THE MECHANISM OF PSYCHOSOMATIC INTERACTION AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR THE EVOLUTION OF THE PSYCHIC

A classification of ideas and theoretical models of psychosomatics is given. It is stated that there is a stagnation in the development of theoretical concepts in this area. It is concluded that it is necessary to form generalizing ideas and attract the results of conceptual and empirical research obtained in «related» fields of knowledge. A conceptual model of the nature of the bodily diseases formation by psychological causes was formed, which is a hypothesis about the function, mechanism and conditions for triggering this phenomenon. It is assumed that there are general mechanisms for the formation of bodily diseases, which, like the mechanisms of aging, are instruments of the evolutionary process. The function of these mechanisms is to contribute to the psychological and behavioral aspect of biological evolution carried out during the life of each individual. The general mechanism of the bodily diseases formation is realized in two forms: a) The body's systems of counteraction to naturally occurring pathogenic factors (for example, immune system, regenerative, etc.) reduce their mobilization and degree of organization; b) Other («invented» by evolution) factors and pathways of disease formation are formed. The condition for triggering the general mechanisms of disease formation is the non-participation of an individual in the formation of new modes of behavior and psychic activity, that is, its nonparticipation in the psychic aspect of biological evolution. It is concluded that this conceptual model is consistent with most of the main ideas and models describing psychosomatic interaction, and creates a common context for their understanding. Within its framework, opportunities are being created for greater integration of the «medical» and «psychological» approach in psychosomatic research. This model describes the mechanisms of bodily diseases formation throughout the animal world. Empirical confirmation of the basic assumptions of the proposed model is possible in experiments with animals and humans. The development of research within the framework of this concept opens up the prospect of creating new methods to prevent and treat bodily diseases in psychology, psychosomatotherapy and etiological medicine.