Psychosomatic Medicine 6:58-70 (1944)
© 1944 American Psychosomatic Society

Cardiospasm: A Psychosomatic Disorder

¹ Department of Medicine, Temple University Medical School, Philadelphia

Cardiospasm, a psychosomatic disorder, is an organ neurosis, corresponding to a form of conversion hysteria deeply rooted in the unconscious mental life of the individual. It arises coincidently with an emotional conflict, in many instances during puberty, in an individual whose early life gives evidence of personality difficulties. Other evidences of neurosis or psychosomatic disorders are frequently present in the patient or his family. At first cardiospasm often seems to manifest itself intermittently; later on, it may become permanently established. Exacerbations occur which frequently can be correlated with fresh psychic insults touching the particular complex of the individual.

Nine cases, out of a total of 17, permitted psychosomatic observations. These clinical studies are reported in some detail and suggest the necessity for a combined physical and psychological study and treatment of the patient with cardiospasm.