Year: 1938
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: _~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~EIA diarrhoea; the diarrhoea could be shown to have expiatory value.As well as satisfying an unrecognized need for restitution, the diarrhoea was observed to be used as an expression of hate.Alexander reports his findings with a reserve as to the general validity of his observations.Whether this same deep pattern applies to ulcerative colitis is unknown at the present stage; if so, a com- parative study of spastic and ulcerative colitis should reveal an even more intense conflict situation and strong masochistic components in the latter.The riddle of the aetiology of ulcerative colitis is still far from being solved.The psychological background described is not necessarily the cause of the obscure disorder, but is certainly an important aetiological factor in this severe organic disease.Many problems in relation to the physical and psychological aspects of the disorder await discovery.Summary 1.A series of forty unselected patients suffering from ulcerative colitis was submitted to psychological examination.In thirty-seven of the forty patients studied the colitis was antedated by psychological abnormalities or definite psychological disorders well beyond the range of the normal.2. No uniform personality type could be established.Among the various psychopathological structures observed, obsessionals and hysterics were prominent.3. The emotional factor as precipitating onset, relapses, and individual attacks of ulcerative colitis was examined in relation to the personality affected.4. These findings appear to justify an attempt at psycho- therapy for selected early cases of ulcerative colitis.This investigation has been conducted during the tenure of a Fellowship endowed by the Sir Halley Stewart Trust, to whom I am grateful for the opportunity.The access to cases has been arranged through Dr. E. R.
Source: BMJ
Authors: D. Owen, T. F. Hewer, P. H. Whitaker
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W1989366992