[Immobilization stress and its significance for psychosomatic medicine]

Results from a variety of different experiments with immoblization stress, an operationally well defined stressor, are discussed with particular emphasis on gastric ulcers and hypertension. Finally an integrative model of hypertension is presented using dopamine-beta-hydroxylase as a marker of sympathetic nervous system activity and discussing the results in the context of giving up as the final common pathway to changes in health according to the concept developed by Schmale.