| The importance of treating human beings as a 'whole' considering all aspects, mind, emotions, spirit, body and environment is not a new concept. But modern medicine, psychology, and physiology provides little information about human beings as dynamic three dimensional creatures who are part of nature interacting with the physical (food, water, air) and social environment.;This dissertation is an investigation into the phenomenon of 'cerebral allergies', an ecological illness, whereby people react adversely to substances which affect the brain's chemistry producing symptoms such as confusion, depression, indecision and any psychopathological disorder. The study also investigates the lives of six people afflicted with this modern day illness. All participants have been diagnosed by a clinical ecologist, a new controversial branch of medicine, and have been forced to change their life styles and 'being' in the world. The first part of the research describes the psychonutrient component, one's body chemistry in relation to affecting emotions and behavior. The second part of the inquiry explores the meaning of the individual's experience in having cerebral allergies.;A qualitative orientation was selected for the methodology. A semi-structured open-ended interview schedule was used, in which the participants were asked to share their experiences in the following topics: diagnosis and reaction; activities; relationships; meaning and beliefs. The interview was the major source of data collection and was conducted in either their home or mine. Each interview was tape-recorded, then transcribed and analyzed. The analysis was guided by the "grounded theory" approach of Glaser and Strauss (1967).;The purpose was twofold: firstly, to further our understanding of biochemical aspects of the body influencing the brain due to foods, water, chemicals or air (like we know alcohol does); and secondly to increase our awareness of the psychosocial aspects of the ecologically ill person. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.).;The organic link between mind and body has been slow to be realized and recognized. Our highly chemicalized, technical, polluted, stressful and 'junk food' society has had a tremendous effect on human kinds' physical and psychological well-being. A chronic disease has emerged, known as the 20th Century Disease or Ecological Illness, described as sensitivities to every modern day substance. |
