Part 5/9:
A pivotal element in Dr. Maté’s philosophy is the mind-body relationship. Traditional Western medicine often separates physical ailments from emotional states. However, Maté argues that scientific studies regularly confirm that these distinctions are not valid. Our emotional health is integrally linked to our physical health. Medical professionals must consider the emotional context when treating physical ailments, as traumas and stressors influence bodily reactions and predispositions to chronic diseases.
For example, stressors within family dynamics—such as parental anxiety—can manifest in children as physical ailments like asthma. Other psychological studies mirror this assertion, revealing that the stress parents endure can significantly color their children’s health and resilience.