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The differential response of chronic fatigue, neurotic and muscular dystrophy patients to experimental psychological stress

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

G. C. Wood ,
R. P. Bentall ,
M. Gopfert ,
M. E. Dewey  and
R. H. T. Edwards
G. C. Wood*
Affiliation:
Departments of Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology and Medicine, University of Liverpool
R. P. Bentall
Affiliation:
Departments of Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology and Medicine, University of Liverpool
M. Gopfert
Affiliation:
Departments of Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology and Medicine, University of Liverpool
M. E. Dewey
Affiliation:
Departments of Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology and Medicine, University of Liverpool
R. H. T. Edwards
Affiliation:
Departments of Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology and Medicine, University of Liverpool
*
1 Address for correspondence: Dr G. C. Wood, Avondale Unit, Royal Preston Hospital, Sharoe Green Lane, Preston, PR2 4HT.
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Synopsis

A group of patients suffering from chronic fatigue (CF) attending a medical clinic were compared with a group of muscular dystrophy (MD) patients from the same clinic and a psychiatric control (PC) group who were attending a psychiatric unit. A checklist was used to assess the patients' subjective physical and psychological state before and after exposure to a psychological stressor. For both physical and psychological symptoms the CF group had the largest response, the PC group was intermediate, and the MD group had the least response. Explanations may involve physiological arousal and attentional focusing.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 24 , Issue 2 , May 1994 , pp. 357 - 364
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1994

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