The Etiologic Significance of Emotional Factors in Onset and Exacerbations of Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

A brief survey of the literature dealing with the psychological aspects of MS has been presented. Observations have been reported regarding the family history, early history, and the premorbid personality of 40 patients suffering from MS and of a carefully matched control series. Striking differences in the family history, early history, social and sexual adjustment between the two groups studied have been noted. The results of the psychological investigation and assessment of a sample of 15 MS patients and 15 controls (22 males, 8 females) have been summarized in a report by the psychologist. The relevance of emotional stress to the onset, exacerbations, and relapses of the disease has been demonstrated. Some psychodynamic considerations have been suggested.