Psychodynamic and Electroencephalographic Factors in Duodenal Ulcer*

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Abstract
The personality data were obtained from a 2-hr. psychosomatic interview and from the observation of the individual during the 1-hr. EEG recording. A high [alpha]-index of the EEG is associated with passive, dependent, receptive trends, while a low a-index is usually associated with a consistent, well directed, freely indulged drive to activity. The basic correlation between a dominant a-rhythm and psychic trends to passivity and dependency appears valid. 70% of the ulcer cases had a dominant -index as opposed to the 20% incidence in normal individuals. On the basis of the personality and EEG data, it can be concluded that peptic ulcer individuals tend to have strong passive, dependent personality trends and that a dominant a-index may be indicative of these trends. At the present time, the correlation of peptic ulcer with a dominant a-rhythm seems to be sufficiently well established to justify the use of this EEG measurement in the clinical evaluation of peptic ulcer individuals.