[Psychodynamic aspects of dyspnoea attacks in childhood (author's transl)]

It was attempted to describe some important aspects of the psychodynamics of respiratory attacks in childhood. Breathing is an activity, that is obviously bound up with life itself. From this fact derives the symptom of a sudden manifestation of dyspnoea attacks, disturbed respiration, palpitation and apprehensiveness. Three forms of asphyxia are described by the patients themselves: constriction of the throat, destruction of trachea, and obstruction of the respiratory tract as a whole. Sometimes a "lump in the throat" made swallowing impossible. The bases of this sensations are fears in connection with sudden death in the family, separation or loss of parental love. Among 18 cases we found a prevalence of boys in childhood, a predomination of girls in adolescence. Sexual fears proved to be an important pathogenic factor. Five individual cases among our patients illustrate the role of the underlying influences. In acute cases hospital admission is necessary, treatment by a child psychiatrist if available. Therapeutic problems are discussed.