Psychosomatic Medicine 14:476-490 (1952)
© 1952 American Psychosomatic Society

Variations in Respiration and in Respiratory Symptoms during Changes in Emotion

¹ New York Hospital and the Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry of Cornell University Medical College, New York, New York; Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
² New York Hospital and the Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry of Cornell University Medical College, New York, New York; University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington

In a pneumographic study of 22 patients (15 with asthma and 7 with anxiety states) respiratory patterns were found to vary closely with the emotional state.

Increased rate or depth or both and sighing were found chiefly wth anxiety but sometimes during anger and resentment. Decreased rate or depth or both were found when the patients felt tense and on guard with feelings of anxiety or anger and when feeling sad or dejected.

Irregularity of respiration was commonly associated with anger, particularly when this was suppressed. It was also associated with feelings of guilt and occurred during weeping.

A prolongation of expiration during periods of emotional disturbance was found in a higher proportion of patients with asthma than of those with anxiety. In 3 asthmatic patients this change was associated with wheezing and dyspnea and in one with dyspnea alone.

Discussions of attitudes and conflicts known to be associated with respiratory symptoms (dyspnea and chest discomfort) evoked such symptoms in more than half (13) of the patients, and the symptoms were related to changes in the respiratory pattern.

It is concluded that respiratory symptoms associated with emotional disturbances may arise from altered respiratory function in response to symbolic stimuli to action and often are related to conflict concerning such action.

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