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Psychosomatic Medicine 8:405-409 (1946)
© 1946 American Psychosomatic Society

Psychodynamic and Electroencephalographic Factors in Duodenal Ulcer

LEON MOSES M.D.

Twenty-five cases of duodenal ulcer were studied from a psychodynamic and electroencephalographic point of view. The cases represented an unselected sample of the Naval ulcer population.

The electroencephalographic data showed a high incidence of dominant alpha activity in this ulcer group. Using the Davis classification for the measurement of normal electroencephalograms, it was found that 76 per cent of the cases were in the dominant alpha group, 4 per cent in the subdominant alpha group, and 20 per cent were in the rare alpha group. Thus there were almost four times the expected number in the dominant alpha group.

The psychological data revealed a rather consistent ulcer personality constellation. Duodenal ulcer individuals were characterized by marked feelings of insecurity associated with strong passive dependent trends. There was usually a marked reaction against these trends with the development of a façade of independence and aggressiveness. The ulcer syndrome seemed to result from the interaction of this personality constellation and the frustrating service environment.

The basic correlation between a dominant alpha rhythm and psychic trends to passivity and dependency appears valid. However, one must not assume any causality between these two aspects of the total organism. The alpha rhythm is best considered as a concomitant electrocortical activity of the tendency of the individual to assume a passive, tensionless, unstimulated state.

Note:
This study was made possible through the cooperation of Cmdr. Southcomb, M.C. U.S.N.R., of the U. S. Naval Hospital, NOLA and Major Leet, M.C. U.S.A., who kindly permitted the use of his electroencephalographic laboratory at the LaGarde Army Hospital in New Orleans, La.




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Copyright © 1946 by the American Psychosomatic Society