Abstract

RENGEL, Juliana Testoni dos Santos. Psychological aspects of achalasia in the light of gestalt therapy . Rev. NUFEN [online]. 2021, vol.13, n.3, pp. 61-74. ISSN 2175-2591.

ABSTRACT Idiopathic esophageal achalasia is a rare dysfunction characterized by persistent muscle contraction of the lower esophageal sphincter and a loss or decrease in peristaltic movement along the body of the esophagus. Current studies have suggested that this type of achalasia has an autoimmune etiology, related to genetic and emotional factors. In this study, the aim is to provide an understanding of the psychological aspects of achalasia in the light of the theoretical framework of Gestalt-therapy. The constructed results confirmed the possibility of understanding achalasia as an autoimmune process that, in the psychological sphere, is related to processes of containing or directing towards oneself the aggressive energy that was originally intended for the environment. In conclusion, forms of clinical management understood as adequate in the care of people with achalasia are proposed, and an invitation is left to consider the possibility of assuming idiopathic esophageal achalasia as a psychosomatic expression.

Keywords : Esophageal achalasia; Gestalt therapy; Psychosomatic medicine.

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