Writing Practice Prescription

Disease of Meaning, Manifestations of Health, and Metaphor

Disease does have meaning, according to the authors of a 1999 editorial in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. They begin their provoking editorial with the thought that the reigning biomolecular model of healthcare commonly sees disease and health as distinct opposites. These authors propose a different view. They see health and disease serving as integral facets of healthy functioning where both are necessary for each other to maintain a state of health.

Seen this way, disease becomes not something “to be avoided, blocked, or suppressed.” Rather, it becomes a process of transformation as the body seeks balance and health. The authors further propose that in many cases, if not all, perhaps people become ill because there is something “going wrong” in their lives. What “goes wrong” can range from relationship stress, job worries, or the fallout from unhealthy foods or environment.

Seen in this light, disease is “meaningful” because it has a message to tell. To read more about this concept click here.

What does this “new way of thinking” say to you? Do you grapple with a health problem, and if so what “meaning” does it have for you in your current or past life? If you stop and reflect on these concepts, do you have an “Ah Ha!” insight that you would like to share with other readers of this blog?

If so, please add a comment to this post.