Heart neurosis: description
It is important to note that cardiac neurosis can develop into actual heart disease over time. Likewise, however, cardiac neurosis can also be an accompanying symptom of a physical illness. For example, people who have once suffered a heart attack very often develop cardiac neurosis in fear of another attack.
Cardiac neurosis: frequency
Cardiac neurosis: symptoms
An important symptom of cardiac neurosis is, on the one hand, the fear of heart disease, which constantly accompanies the affected person. Under certain circumstances, this fear can become so strong that it leads to panic attacks and fear of death.
During anxiety states, the pulse of the affected person accelerates and the blood pressure rises. This can be accompanied by palpitations, heart pain or heart palpitations. In addition, dizziness, shortness of breath, sweating and trembling may occur. Patients usually complain of several symptoms that alternate.
If these symptoms occur exclusively in the context of an anxiety or panic disorder, it is not a case of cardiac neurosis!
Social withdrawal
Cardiac neurosis is primarily a psychological problem, and accordingly, sufferers also suffer mentally. It outweighs most other sensations in everyday life. Affected persons suffer from inner restlessness, live in a constant protective posture and often exhibit depressive symptoms. They may also try to avoid any physical exertion, excitement or stress out of fear and conviction that otherwise they will have a heart attack.
Those suffering from cardiac neurosis feel misunderstood most of the time, despite all the attention they receive, and are convinced that no one, not even a doctor, can help them.
As a result, many sufferers withdraw on their own. Sometimes even friends turn away more and more from the affected person out of helplessness and lack of advice. The social loneliness subsequently again intensifies the symptoms of cardiac neurosis.
Cardiac neurosis: causes and risk factors
There are several theories as to where to look for the causes of cardiac neurosis:
- Diseases in the social environment: Scientists assume that the risk of cardiac neurosis is greater if a close relative or close friend has already suffered from cardiac neurosis or actual heart complaints. Thus, the anxious approach to the heart is exemplified in the environment and adopted by those affected.
- Conflicts and problems: Unresolved problems and conflicts in everyday life can also contribute to the development of cardiac neurosis. They affect the heart function in a normal way: The heart beats faster. This reaction is often misinterpreted as a serious illness. Thus, the other conflicts then move into the background.
How does cardiac neurosis develop?
In cardiac neurosis, these symptoms are overestimated. As a result, those affected begin to pay more attention to changes in their body than anyone else. This develops into a vicious circle of misinterpreted heart actions that can no longer be broken alone.
Physical conditions
Cardiac neurosis: examinations and diagnosis
Physical examination
During the physical examination, a resting ECG and an exercise ECG are usually performed first. These examinations are painless for patients. With their help, heart activity is recorded. For example, cardiac arrhythmias can be clearly detected in this way.
A blood test is also performed to clarify cardiac neurosis.
If the doctors do not find an organic cause for the complaints in all these examinations, the suspicion that there is a psychological cause and thus an underlying cardiac neurosis is strengthened. A detailed discussion with the patient provides decisive clues for the diagnosis. A psychiatrist or psychologist is usually consulted for this purpose.
Initial psychiatric consultation
It is also typical for cardiac neurosis that those affected like to talk about themselves a lot and report in detail about their complaints. The symptoms are not necessarily limited to the heart. For example, problems with digestion, the stomach or sleep disturbances can also bother those affected. Previous psychological complaints are also frequently reported.
Difficulties
Cardiac neurosis can be an accompanying symptom of actual heart disease. Likewise, however, an organic disease may develop from cardiac neurosis even in patients who initially have no organic symptoms.
Cardiac neurosis: treatment
Since cardiac neurosis is psychological, its treatment belongs in the hands of a psychiatrist, a psychotherapist or a doctor of psychosomatic medicine and psychotherapy.
Improvement of symptoms
Next, the treating physician takes care of improving cardiac neurosis symptoms such as palpitations. This includes teaching relaxation techniques (such as progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic training), coping strategies and favorable behaviors that the individual can use when (perceived) heart problems arise.
Treatment of underlying problems
Depending on the patient’s problem and personality, there are two options to choose from: cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic therapies, for example psychoanalysis. A mixed form with elements of both is also possible.
Psychodynamic procedures are based on the patient’s recognition of the role played by his personal history and important attachment figures in the development of the cardiac neurosis. Processing such experiences and gaining psychological stability and self-confidence may enable him to overcome the symptoms.
Drug therapy
Cardiac neurosis: course of the disease and prognosis
As with most other diseases, the same applies to cardiac neurosis: the earlier the disease is detected, the better the chances of recovery!
The longer the symptoms of cardiac neurosis persist, the more likely they are to become chronic. This makes therapy more difficult. Chronic cardiac neurosis develops in about half of all sufferers.
Psychotherapeutic measures can still help even if someone has already been suffering from cardiac neurosis for many years. Even if the symptoms do not disappear completely as a result – the person affected can at least develop strategies to deal with the functional complaints and believe more in his or her strengths again. This can significantly improve the quality of life of cardiac neurosis patients.
