“ Psychophysiologic Reactivity” in Asthmatic Children: A New Perspective on Emotionally Triggered Asthma

This article offers a reconceptualization of the influence of emotional arousal on asthma. We propose that the degree to which an asthmatic child is generally psychophysiologically reactive will influence the degree to which emotional arousal affects airways reactivity and pulmonary function. This psychophysiologic reactivity may be genetically (temperamentally) based, or acquired through emotional trauma. Controlled laboratory studies are cited that demonstrate an emotional link in asthma process. A focused and more detailed review is presented of new research support for psychophysiologic reactivity in asthmatic children as a continuum of risk for emotional stimulation of airways constriction mediated by cholinergic mechanisms. Treatment implications are drawn with case illustrations.