Adrenal Cortical Activity in Pathological Emotional States : A Review

Changes in adrenal cortical activity have been correlated with certain pathological emotional states. Heightened activity occurs concomitantly with depressive reactions of various types and in certain phases of acute schizophrenic reactions. The psychological variable that correlates most closely with increased adrenal cortical secretion is loss of "ego defense strength," that is, absence of denial with awareness of illness. Behavioral observations and biochemical methodologies in the studies reviewed are discussed, and several alternative mechanisms of adrenal cortical activation are postulated.