LIFE SITUATIONS, EMOTIONS AND BRONCHIAL ASTHMA*

Abstract

In 51 patients it was found that the development of asthmatic attacks was related to the patient''s life situations and accompanying emotional reactions. Some of the patients had positive skin reactions; some did not. There was little correlation between the attacks of asthma and the skin reaction, Five patients who were skin-sensitive to pollen extracts were exposed to the pollen by inhalation during interviews. Although in each case there was a history of seasonal asthma, in no instance did asthma develop under these conditions. However, these patients developed asthma on numerous occasions during interviews when their life problems were discussed. The commonest conflict situation associated with asthmatic attacks was the disturbance of the patient''s dependent relationship upon the mother or some mother-figure. In the patients who developed self-confidence and emancipation from excessive childlike dependency there was a coincident amelioration of attacks.