Psychosomatic Aspects of Bronchial Asthma

This chapter will survey work in four areas: (1) Biological observa­tions on the patho­genesis of bronchial asthma and on pathways leading from brain to peripheral pulmonary tissues; (2) psychophysiological studies, offering evidence that short-term psy­chological influences, possibly utilizing such pathways, may contribute to acute exacerba­tions and remissions in asthmatic subjects; (3) psychosocial studies, suggesting that certain personality constellations, possibly extending short-range influences into chronic states of readiness, may correlate with the disorder; and (4) studies of therapy, examining various psychotherapeutic approaches to asthma, their limitations, and potential. (46 pp.)