Psychosomatic Medicine 17:109-123 (1955)
© 1955 American Psychosomatic Society

Emotional Factors in Graves' Disease

¹ Allan Memorial Institute of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada

Twenty-five consecutive cases of thyrotoxicosis were intensively studied by a team consisting of a physician (endocrinologist), a surgeon, a radioactive-iodine expert, two psychiatrists, and a psychologist.

The emotional aspects of thyrotoxicosis were assessed by psychiatric interviews and psychological tests and were compared with a well-matched control group consisting of hospital patients with illnesses in which psychogenic factors were not implicated.

Striking differences were found in family history, early development, and sexual and marital adjustments.

The incidence of "neuroticism" in the thyrotoxic group was significantly different from the control group, with the emphasis on increased anxiety, subnormal assertiveness, and depression.

A schematic representation of the basic conflicts and personality defenses utilized by the thyrotoxic patients was outlined, and speculations were made relating to the psychopathology of the illness.

Suggestions are made as to the practical applications of these observations and emphasis is laid on a comprehensive approach to the management and treatment of thyrotoxicosis.