ABSTRACT
Psychosomatic researchers focus on detecting the peripheral physiological signals resulting from exposure to stressors, usually acute stressors. The psychosomatic approach clearly delineates differences between an acute anxiety response common to all individuals, a response to chronic tension, and a response to “pathological” anxiety. Researchers studying anxiety disorders have been interested more in refining the diagnosis and treatment of the disorder per se as opposed to examining some of its other health consequences. Furthermore, the chronic anxiety disorders border on other psychiatric disorders, shading into somatoform disorders, hypochondriasis, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The dysphoric affect triggered in laboratory studies may be more a measure of vigilance and subtle anger than anxiety. The sympathetic nervous system is more responsive to circumstances of exercise and postural change, whereas the adrenomedullary system is more sensitive to anxiety and the energy needs of the organism.
