[Psychosomatic aspects of cardiac and circulatory disorders (author's transl)]

Psychic stresses may cause cardiac reactions equal to those caused by physical strain. The intensity necessary for the psychic component to cause manifest clinical symptoms depends on the distinctness of the basic somatic cardiac disorder. Representing the group of functional cardiac and circulatory disorders the so-called phobic cardiac neurosis is discussed more in detail as well as the myocardial infarct as representatives of the group of coronary diseases. On the basis of tests (MMPI plus questionnaire) two groups may be differentiated. One group is characterized by pronounced dependance, sparing attitude, avoidance of situations and narrowing of environmental relations, the other by compensatory activity and physical engagement. The distinction is of relevance for therapeutic reasons and for reasons of somatic diagnosis. Among infarct patients we are presently trying to determine single psychic variables with respect to their importance as risk factors. Compulsiveness and rigidity or sociability and extraversion respectively appear to play a role.