Several workers have demonstrated a relationship between anxiety and critical flicker frequency (CFF); among these are Krugman (1947), Goldstone (1955) and Friedl (1954). Unfortunately the trait of anxiety is not unidimensional, being a compound of neuroticism and introversion, so that these data might indicate a lower threshold of CFF for neurotics, or for introverts, or for both. The second of these interpretations has been tentatively adopted (Eysenck, 1957), in spite of some questionnaire evidence to the effect that thresholds are lower for extraverts (Washburn et al., 1930; Madlung, 1935; Simonson and Brozek, 1952). The main reason for not considering this additional evidence too convincing lies in the curious nature of the measures used to determine extraversion-introversion; these seem to compound introversion and neuroticism, as pointed out elsewhere (Eysenck, 1960). However, when we take into account the rather strong evidence regarding drug effects (Simonson and Brozek, 1952; Landis, 1954), which tends to show that stimulant drugs raise the threshold, while depressant drugs lower it, as well as the fact that brain injury tends to lower the threshold (Enzer et al., 1944; Halstead, 1947; Landis, 1949; Werner and Thuma, 1942), then the case against this tentative hypothesis becomes rather strong. It may be that the attempt to relate CFF to only one dimension of personality was mistaken, and that CFF is related to both neuroticism and extraversion, in the sense that low thresholds characterize the more neurotic and the more extraverted person. This hypothesis would certainly account for all the available facts better than the original hypothesis.

The effects of hypothyroidism are protean, involving many systems. Electrocardiographic changes are almost invariable, and include bradycardia, low QRS voltage and flattened T waves: these are usually reversible with replacement therapy (McDonald, 1978). Psychiatric disturbances are also well known, although they are seldom the presenting feature and are notorious for mistakes in diagnosis (Lishman, 1978; Whybrow and Ferrell, 1974). Most such disturbances comprise apathy and depression, some an organic reaction and a few manifest as an acute schizophrenia-like psychosis. Phenothiazines, the most generally used neuroleptic medication, may interfere with cardiac conduction. When hypothyroidism presents as acute psychosis and the patient is hypersensitive to phenothiazines a dangerous situation can arise.

The influence of beta-adrenoceptor antagonism on the effects of a simple experimental stress was investigated in 12 healthy volunteers, using a double-blind protocol. A single oral dose of 80 mg propranolol reduced the stress-induced increase in heart rate and systolic blood pressure to 49.9 per cent and 8.3 per cent respectively compared to 61.0 per cent and 17.4 per cent with placebo. The rise in diastolic blood pressure was small and unaffected by beta-adrenoceptor blockade. The rise in temperature of the skin of the trunk was significantly reduced by propranolol. The self-rating of anxiety, alertness and concentration by the subjects was unaffected by propranolol.

The value of intensive “occupational therapy” in the treatment and social rehabilitation of chronic psychotic patients has long been recognized. There is a large literature, very often only descriptive, but also experimental (cf. for example Grygier and Waters, 1958; Robin, 1958), demonstrating the superior adjustment of patients engaged in various sorts of occupations over those not thus occupied. Whilst however the value of occupation per se may be taken as demonstrated, there are few studies comparing the relative efficacy of different types of occupation in the social adjustment of patients. It is of interest to compare briefly the claims which are sometimes made for these different activities.

The incidence and nature of state-dependent pain were investigated in 43 consecutively presenting patients with recurrent autumn/winter episodes of major depression followed by spontaneous recovery in the spring. Twenty-two (51.2%) experienced state-dependent pain, which appears to be a common concomitant of wintertime depression.

1. 1 “Man and his Dwelling Place.” London: J. W. Parker & Sons, West Strand.

2. 2 “Essay on the Unity of Science,” by Rev. B. Powell, F.K.S., &c.

3. 3 “Order of Nature,” by the Rev. B. Powell.

4. 4 Grove, on “The Correlation of the Physical Forces.”

5. 5 On “The Mutual Relations of the Vital and Physical Forces.” Dr. Carpenter, Philosoph. Transac., 1850.

6. 6 Oersted's “Soul in Nature.”