It seems that if I honor the patient's initial request to treat his symptom, I demonstrate the flexibility, collaboration, problem solving and effort the client will need to meet life's challenges. First, however, we should determine if the symptom has an organic cause, by suggesting a medical checkup. We can then proceed to check for a psychological influence. Generally, symptoms begin when an individual is not prepared to meet a life task, and begins to feel the shock of his anticipated failure. Sensitive or inferior may organs reflect the increased psychological vibration of acute or chronic negative feelings and emotions.
Clients are often ambivalent about giving up their symptoms.
The trap, for the therapist, could be focusing on managing or reducing the symptom to the exclusion of addressing the challenging task or responsibility. It makes it possible to postpone decisions. It permits greater expectation of appreciation for smaller achievements, as these had to be worked against the impediment of suffering. Whatever the symptom, it always proves that there is fire burning under the surface of which the visible smoke is the symptom. The answer mostly indicates which situation in the individual's life is menacing his self esteem, or at least so in his own estimation.