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Does living a stress-filled life lead to elevated blood pressure? And if so, do strategies to manage better stress effectively lower blood pressure? This book examines more than a half-century of empirical evidence obtained to test the common assumption that stress is associated with the onset and maintenance of essential hypertension (high blood pressure). While the research confirms that stress does play a role in the exacerbation of essential hypertension, numerous other factors must also be considered, among them obesity, exercise, and smoking, as well as demographic, constitutional, and psychological concerns. The book discusses the effectiveness of strategies developed to manage stress and thereby lower blood pressure, and concludes with suggestions and directions for further study.

This book presents thoughts on the latest psychodynamic developments and insights related to treatment of severe personality disorders. Dividing discussions into two sections—one on psychopathology and the other on psychotherapy—the book examines borderline personality disorder, narcissism, sexual inhibition, transference and countertransference, suicidal behavior, and eating disorders. Each chapter integrates the ideas of European and Latin American psychoanalytic thinkers, bringing them to the attention of English-speaking readers. The book includes a selection of recently published journal articles.

This book examines the effect of social relationships on physical health. It surveys and assesses the research which shows not only that supportive relationships protect us from a multitude of mental health problems but also that the absence of supportive relationships increases the risk of dying from various diseases. The book discusses the links between social support and mortality from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and HIV/AIDS. It investigates whether social support is more effective for some individuals and within certain cultures. After evaluating existing conceptual models linking social support to health outcomes, the book offers his own broader perspective on the issue, and suggests the implications for intervention and for future research in this area.