The psychosomatic model and the interaction between mental and somatic functions. The biopsychosocial model and the interactions between macro- and micro-systems. The models of Damasio, Panksepp, and Solms. The alexithymia construct. Somatic determinants of psychological health: gene-environment interactions, the immune system, proinflammatory mechanisms. Psychological determinants of somatic health: interpersonal relationships, somatosensory amplification, illness representations, abnormal illness behavior. Psycho-neuro-endocrino-immunology. The role of adaptation and psychological aspects of stress. Interpretive models of stress and health: psycho-infectivology, cognitive and psychopathological aspects of HIV and HCV infection, pediatric psycho-infectivology (Lyme disease, PANDAS).
The mind-body-brain model and the neuropsychobiological development according to Allan Schore and developmental affective neuroscience. Affect regulation and affet dysregulation and neurobiological consequences. The body between Nature and Culture and identifications or rejections of cultural constructs of identity and gender. Birth of the body between self and other. The body as relational and intergenerational legacy (A. Lemma). Interpersonal neurobiology and development of the self (as mind-body-brain system). Secure, insecure and disorganized attachment, neurobiological reactions to stress and to individual and intergenerational trauma. First, Second and Third level of interpersonal trauma. Psychosomatic disorders and alexythimia in first, second and third generation of trauma. Bodily and psychic mechanisms of hyperarousal and dissociation.The functioning of the polyvagal system according to Stephen Porges. Hysteria and the difference with psychosomatic responses. Symbolic and representational models of the mind and their lack in psychosomatic disorders. How the body “keeps the score” (according to van der Kolk).