Da Costa’s Syndrome: The Hidden History of War Trauma
Historical Context and Origin of the Diagnosis The syndrome now known eponymously as Da Costa’s Syndrome was first systematically documented and described by the American surgeon and physician Jacob Mendes Da Costa in 1871. Da Costa’s seminal work, published following the conclusion of the American Civil War (1861–1865), focused on a perplexing constellation of symptoms […]
Psychogenic Cardiovascular Disorder: When Stress Mimics Heart Disease
Psychogenic Cardiovascular Disorder Introduction: Defining Psychogenic Cardiovascular Disorder Psychogenic Cardiovascular Disorder (PCD) is a multifaceted and often challenging condition characterized by the manifestation of physical symptoms that mimic serious cardiovascular diseases, yet are primarily driven or exacerbated by psychological and psychosocial factors. It is not a life-threatening organic heart disease, but rather a complex interplay […]
PALPITATION
Definition and Scope of Palpitation Palpitation, in the psychological context, is defined as the subjective experience of a rapid, forceful, or irregular heartbeat, often described by individuals as a fluttering, pounding, or skipped beat sensation within the chest. This somatic manifestation is frequently and strongly correlated with states of acute psychological distress, primarily encompassing the […]