[Comparative study of the clinical dynamics of neuroses with variable expression of the hypochondriacal syndrome]

A comparative clinico-statistical study of 149 neurotic patients revealed the distinctive characteristics of the clinical time-course of neuroses with marked hypochondriac disturbances. These were expressed in the specific premorbid features, "a reactive form" of neurosis, the presence of paroxysmal psychovegetative disorders, the symptoms pathognomonic for a given form of neurosis, and the characterological reactions in the initial period. In patients without hypochondriac emotions, the initial period was determined by astheno-depressive reactions. In the subsequent stages of the disease this difference became less prominent and was expressed only in the predominance in patients with hypochondriac disturbances of such features as egocentrism, reticence, weakness, fatigability, and importunity.