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L. McKENDREE EATON, M.D.; PAUL A. O'LEARY, M.D.

Arch Derm Syphilol. 1937;36(3):544-547.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

The primary cause of many psychoneuroses is an experience which produces a highly distressing emotional reaction. The mental anguish occasioned by the situation is so great that subconsciously the patient prefers the distraction of simulated physical suffering. The concern over the illness relegates the real issue to the background. Sympathy and attention that are not received when the patient is healthy and escape from unpleasant duties are factors which make this type of illness attractive and preferable. Too often the psychoneurosis is further fixed by a physician's diagnosis of organic disease and the scientific justification of the illness which such an opinion entails.

Unfortunately, the patient is not aware of the connection between his symptoms and their causes. After the physician has gained the complete confidence of the patient, direct, tactful questioning often suffices to bring to light the underlying psychically traumatic situation. The situation itself may not be worthy . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

Author Affiliations
Fellow in Neurology, the Mayo Foundation; ROCHESTER, MINN.

From the Section on Dermatology and Syphilology, the Mayo Clinic.

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