[Mental disorders in achalasia of the cardia (cardiospasm) and principles for treating them].

Data on clinico-catamnestic examinations of 50 patients with achalasia of the cardia are presented. An analysis of the premorbid features has made it possible to reveal three basic groups of psychopathological disturbances, and, namely, a group with prevalence of neurosis-like disturbances, a group with hysterical traits of the character, and a group of patients with affective swings. It is noted that as long as the achalasia develops, the pre-morbid features are transformed to neurosis-like, hysteriform, and depressive syndromes. The rightfullness of differentiation of those syndromes has been confirmed by psychological examinations (by the MMPI method). Therapeutic recommendations on using psychotropic means and psychotherapy for treating the cardia achalasia are presented.