NEUROENDOCRINE DYSRHYTHMIAS

Neuroendocrine rhythms play a major role in the regulation of physiolo gical function. Stress can disrupt these rhythms and produce neuroendo crine dysrhythmias. A paradigm of classification of these dysrhythmias is presented and includes diurnal (phase and amplitude), autonomic (a drenergic or cholinergic excess or imbalance), and muscle tension (ske letal or smooth). By placing common psychosomatic conditions in this p aradigm, one can model these conditions as exaggerations of normal res ponses producing disruption in normal neuroendocrine rhythms. This can also lead to a focus of therapy on restoring neuroendocrine balance a nd rhythm.