Psychosomatic Medicine 13:273-276 (1951)
© 1951 American Psychosomatic Society

On So-Called Psychogenic Influences in Essential Hypertension

(Special Article)

¹ Cornell University Medical College, New York

This paper attempts to review and consider the present state of our knowledge about psychogenic influences in essential hypertension.

No final statement can be made and none is likely to be until more is known of the constitutional, physiological, and pathological elements in this disease or group of diseases.

At present no adequate proof is at hand to establish the fact of psychogenesis or that the commonly observed disturbances of personality are more than frequently occurring associated phenomena.

The fact that acute emotional excitement may result in transitory elevations of blood pressure should not be used as a basis for the inference that long-lasting emotional states or conflictive situations can act as precipitants to chronic vasomotor constriction.

The statistical and experimental approach to this problem is dealt with.

In spite of the lack of final proof for psychogenesis there is evidence for believing that psychotherapy offers some patients suffering from essential hypertension the best chance of help.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. W. WILKINS and P. STUCKI HYPERTENSION: Review of Significant Publications, July 1, 1950, to Jan. 1, 1952 Arch Intern Med, January 1, 1953; 91(1): 118 - 137. [Abstract] [PDF]