[Cardiac neuroses]

Cardiac neurosis is defined as heart complaints for which no organic cause can be found. Other common terms are "cardiac anxiety neurosis", "cardiac anxiety disorder", "cardiac phobia", "functional heart complaints" and "somatoform autonomous functional disorders of the cardiovascular system" (ICD-10). Although cardiac neurosis is rarely diagnosed, it is estimated that approximately 30 bis 40% of patients with cardiovascular disorders are actually suffering from functional complaints. Predisposing to the development of cardiac neurosis are insufficient internalization processes during childhood, leading to an insoluble autonomy dependency conflict. Cardiac neurosis is treated with drugs and psychotherapy.