Preliminary results of a differentiated emotion-stimulating interview in patients with essential hypertension as compared with inpatients of a psychosomatic unit and normal controls.
BACKGROUND
The question of psychophysiologic reaction specificity is still controversial.


METHODS
Blood pressure and heart rate were measured for different emotional effects induced during a semistandardized interview.


RESULTS
Generally, a stronger increase in blood pressure was observed in hypertensive patients than in inpatients of a psychosomatic unit and normal controls. Differences related to various phases of the stress interview (regarding feelings of aggression, rage and anger, professional situation) were statistically significant as compared to controls, not only in hypertensives but also in the inpatients of a psychosomatic unit.


CONCLUSIONS
The results are discussed with respect to the specificity theory of Alexander.
Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Benjamin Franklin, Free University of Berlin, Germany.
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Deter
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Klepper
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Schulte
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged