Predictive value of neuropathic traits.

The classic textbook concepts of neuropathic traits--enuresis, nail-biting, finger-sucking, sleep-walking, anxiety, nightmares, fear of darkness--have been anamnestically recorded in patients in a somatic hospital who were referred for psychiatric interview. More than 50% of the patients could report having had one or more such traits with an even distribution between males and females except for enuresis, which was recorded more frequently in males. The presence of such traits was correlated to adult mental health. No correlation was found between one single trait and later disorders. There was a positive correlation between two or more traits and neurotic states of anxiety or conversion neurosis, but no correlation with depressive disorders or psychosomatic diseases (after Alexander's concept).