The mind-body connection: Sleep disruptions, dream processes and their effect on psychosomatic disorders

Abstract

Sleep is recognized as a crucial link between mental and physical health, bridging the unconscious and conscious realms. However, the impact of both physiological and pathological sleep on the progression of diseases with significant psychological burdens, such as psychosomatic disorders, remains insufficiently understood. Gaining a deeper understanding of this relationship would offer a more comprehensive insight into both the physiology and pathophysiology of sleep, as well as the mechanisms underlying the development and progression of psychosomatic conditions. This knowledge could also guide the development of therapeutic strategies aimed at enhancing the quality of life for patients affected by these disorders. This review aimed to investigate the relationship between sleep, sleep deprivation, and dreaming in relation to psychosomatic diseases, the dependency relationships that can be established between these factors, and the medical and psychological implications that the links found have in the assessment and treatment of patients. Using a broad PubMed database search, primary and secondary studies were analyzed to understand how scientific research on this issue has evolved over time and what are the missing elements in this interconnected relationship. The study revealed that psychosomatic illnesses are complex, multifactorial conditions, strongly influenced by both normal and pathological sleep. It also highlighted that therapeutic interventions targeting sleep pathophysiology can alleviate patients’ symptoms. In addition, the theoretical insights gained from this relationship serve as an initial step toward a comprehensive understanding of the connection between the mind and body.

Keywords

Sleep / Sleep deprivation / Dreams / Psychosomatic disorders

Funding

None.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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