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Psychosomatic Medicine 29:491-503 (1967)
© 1967 American Psychosomatic Society

Studies in Autoerythrocyte Sensitization

The Induction of Purpuric Lesions by Hypnotic Suggestion

DAVID P. AGLE M.D.1, OSCAR D. RATNOFF M.D.1, and MARVIN WASMAN PH.D.1

1 Departments of Psychiatry and Medicine, Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio.

Autoerythrocyte sensitization is a chronic purpuric state featuring spontaneous ecchymoses that have an inflammatory component. It is diagnosed by the absence of known hemostatic defects and the production of typical lesions by the intradermal injection of autologous blood. Four patients with this condition were studied by psychiatric interviewing, psychological testing, and hypnotic techniques. The studies demonstrated a predominance of hysterical and masochistic character traits as well as a propensity to express psychological problems in physical form both through conversion mechanisms and psychophysiological responses. In addition, data from psychiatric interviews suggested a temporal relationship between life stress and disease onset and exacerbations. In the 4 patients described, ecchymotic lesions were apparntly induced in specific locations under the influence of hypnotic suggestion. A possible mechanism to explain this apparent relationship of emotional factors to bleeding exacerbations is discussed.

Note:
Career Investigator of the American Heart Association.

Submitted on July 11, 1966




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