title: Psyche and rheuma.
abstract: The paper is based on discussions which took place in a seminar at the European League against Rheumatism Meeting in Helsinki in 1975. The importance of assessing the emotional response in rheumatoid disease, as well as the disease process, is stressed. It is important to consider the effect of the discovery by the patient that severe disease is present. Considerable support by general practitioners and consultants may be necessary at this time. There has been much discussion as to whether patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis have a different type of personality than other subjects. The evidence is not convincing. The role of stress in the aetiology of rheumatoid arthritis is not properly understood. Anxiolytic and antidepressant drugs may help patients to overcome the anxiety and depression associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Children suffering from the disease present a special problem. The incapacity and isolation, especially in old age, which osteo-arthritis brings may lead to depression and antidepressant therapy is often required. When rheumatic pain seems out of proportion to the physical findings, psychogenic rheumatism should be considered. Rheumatic pains occur in masked depression and low backache may be a depressive equivalent. Pain may be used by some patients to communicate distress.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001290:Attitude; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010551:Personality; D011584:Psychology; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D007099:Imipramine