Cortisone level and emotional support by key figures in patients with bronchial asthma
Wöller, W.; Kruse, J.; Reister, G.; Winter, P.; Richter, B.; Arnolds, S.; Kraut, D.
Psychotherapie Psychosomatik Medizinische Psychologie 43(5): 171-177
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0937-2032 PMID: 8327630 Document Number: 413819
In a subgroup of patients with bronchial asthma, irrational fears of cortisone medication can be observed beyond justified worries about side-effects. A cortisone image which involves overemphasizing the threatening aspects of cortisone, often underlies noncompliant illness behaviour. In the present study, cortisone image and subjectively experienced emotional support by a key figure was investigated in 62 patients, all of whom had participated in the Düsseldorf Asthma treatment and teaching programme (ATTP). The data show that patients having a supportive relationship with their key figures are less likely to experience threatening aspects of cortisone. The findings are discussed in light of psychoanalytic object relations theory.