[Possibilities of psychotherapy in the comprehensive treatment of bronchial asthma]

Abstract

Asthma bronchiale, as all long-lasting diseases with unpleasant subjective complaints, has a considerable psychic superstructure. It is known that in chronic asthmatic patients psychic influences alone can provoke an attack. The extent and severity of mental factors in the pathogenesis of asthma can be revealed by psychological examination. By aimed psychotherapy the patient's complaints can be mitigated and it is possible to improve his quality of life. The authors give an account of principles they apply during psychotherapy and problems they encounter. The results are documented by selected case-histories. The patients' tolerance of physical work increases, the drug consumption declines as well as the number of sickness days and the length of hospitalization. The authors recommend therefore that psychological examination should be part of examinations of asthmatics and that in selected patients treatment should be supplemented by psychotherapy.