On the other hand, Janov (2008) argues that a lot of research has been conducted in order to extend the therapy, he refers to different studies on brain waves as well as studies from neurological, biological and chemical perspectives. However, references cannot be found and it is mostly studies done by Janov’s institute that he is referring to. Janov highlights the experience he has made with many patients as well as clinical observations in order to back up the theory behind Primal Therapy (Janov, 2008). To give an example, in his book ‘The Biology of Love’ Janov refers to research done by Dalmann and colleagues (1999) who found out that babies that had a lack of oxygen during birth were four times likelier to develop schizophrenia than children …show more content…
He refers to research being executed by Schroeder, Krebs, Bleich and Frieling in 2010. These researchers found out that epigenetics plays a crucial role in the development of depression. If young children experience stress, it can lead to changes in genes which are associated with developing depression later in life. Children who experienced a childhood with a lack of love and care are more likely to become depressed. Moreover, it was found that in people who has committed suicide because of depression, they discovered significant epigenetic difference in the frontal cortex, compared to that of a healthy person (Janov, 2013 & Schroeder, Krebs, Bleich & Frieling, 2010 and Prontzos, 2012). Furthermore, he refers to research at Duke University on epigenetics (Dolinoy, 2008) to highlight the strong relationship of stress early in life of a child and the development of depression induced by a change in genes (Janov, 2013). Accordingly, by referring to additional studies, Janov tries to complete and advance the understanding of mental illnesses caused by early life traumas. However, studies proving the ideas behind the therapy are insufficiently provided in Janov’s writings, references are missing and most of the studies are done by Janov or advocates of Primal …show more content…
For example, nowadays he asks patients to fill out questionnaires to describe what they felt had changed after the therapy. In addition to that, patient’s heart rate, body temperature and blood pressure is assessed. Janov argues that if these physical states change in the patients, the mental illness is treated (Janov, 2008). This argument is supported by a clinical study conducted by Karle, Corriere and Hart (1973) who assessed Primal Therapy patients and measured their body temperature, blood pressure and pulse before, during and after the treatment. They found that physical changes were related with the treatment as well as stated that “primal patients did show reduced tension after three weeks of therapy.” This research supports Janov’s assumption that after the therapy the patient’s body temperature, blood pressure and heart rate has changed. However, it does not support the claim that it is a sign of the successful completion of the