Cyclic Vomiting in Children: Seen Through the Psychiatrist's Eye

Abstract

Sixteen patients have been seen since 1956 at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh with a disgnosis of cyclic vomiting. Five of these patients were reverred for psychiatric consultation or treatment. Four of the 16 had laparotomies and no specific pathological condition was found; seven of the patients did not have surgery or psychiatric intervention. Descriptive follow-up is given for all patients, as well as various methods of handling the problem. The psychological conflicts were found to be parental anxiety, a prolonged symbiotic relationship with the mother, and the failure of the child to separate and individuate.