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Mind/Body Integration pp 379–410Cite as

Dysponesis: A Neurophysiologic Factor in Functional Disorders

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Abstract

This chapter discusses a physiopathologic stale that is a hidden etiologic factor in a number of common clinical syndromes, and can give rise to a variety of functional disturbances within the organism. It is basically a reversible physiopathologic state composed of errors in energy expenditure that interfere with nervous system function and thus with control of organ function. Its detrimental influence is exerted by means of excitatory and inhibitory patterns of signal input at widespread points within the complex networks of the nervous system, resulting in reduction in the organism’s productivity and disturbance of its emotional reactivity, ideation, and central regulation of various organs of the body. Most of this energy expenditure, covert in nature, goes unnoticed by both the person expending it and those who observe him. Diagnosis is based upon history, physical examination, and laboratory and psychological tests. Electromyometric studies are a necessary part of each patient work-up whenever dysponesis is suspected.

Keywords

  • Energy Expenditure
  • Limbic System
  • Psychosomatic Medicine
  • Nervous System Function
  • Effort Training

These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pacific Northwest Research Foundation, and Private Practice (Internal Medicine and Functional Disorders), Medical-Denial Building, Seattle, Washington, 98101, USA

    George B. Whatmore & Daniel R. Kohli

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  1. George B. Whatmore
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  2. Daniel R. Kohli
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California, USA

    Erik Peper

  2. University of California, San Francisco, California, USA

    Sonia Ancoli

  3. Psychophysiological Treatment Center, Oxnard, California, USA

    Michele Quinn

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© 1979 Plenum Press, New York

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Whatmore, G.B., Kohli, D.R. (1979). Dysponesis: A Neurophysiologic Factor in Functional Disorders. In: Peper, E., Ancoli, S., Quinn, M. (eds) Mind/Body Integration. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2898-8_34

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2898-8_34

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