[Psychosomatic treatment of recurrent herpes simplex]

Psychological causes are often found to be responsible for the recurrence of herpes in clinical practice. This, and the fact that certain factors concerning recurrence itself are not clear, has led Terni to suggest that psychogenic factors are essential in determining the frequency and extent of such recurrences, and that without prejudice to its undoubtedly viral nature, recurrent herpes simplex may be regarded as a psychosomatic disease. The underlying criteria, practice, clinical progression and positive results obtained with psychotherapy and hypnosis in the treatment of 24 cases of recurrent herpes simplex are described in support of this view. The effectiveness of the method employed indicates that the hypothesis put forward is correct.