Emotional somatization: the disease of the 21st century and its impact on holistic health

Abstract

Emotional somatization has become an increasingly frequent expression of psychological distress in modern societies characterized by high levels of stress, social pressure, and scarce emotional validation. The objective of this article is to analyze this phenomenon from a biopsychosocial approach, demonstrating its impact on individuals' holistic health. An exploratory and cross-sectional investigation was developed in primary care centers and private practices in the city of Guayaquil, Ecuador, using a mixed-methods approach with a qualitative emphasis. Semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and structured questionnaires, specifically the PHQ-15 scale, were applied to identify physical symptoms without an apparent medical cause. The sample consisted of 50 participants between 18 and 60 years old, with no diagnosed organic pathologies. The results revealed a high incidence of symptoms such as headaches, chronic fatigue, heart palpitations, and gastrointestinal discomfort, closely linked to contexts of emotional repression and psychosocial overload. Gender differences in the somatic expression of distress were evidenced, and a disconnect was identified between the emotional needs of patients and the conventional biomedical approach. It is concluded that emotional somatization constitutes an urgent problem that requires comprehensive clinical intervention, sensitive to the cultural context and centered on emotional well-being as the core of holistic health.