Psychogenic purpura

Abstract

Two young women had painful ecchymoses of their extremities. In one, this purpuric syndrome followed a chronic course and resulted in severe joint disability. In the other woman, the problem was transient and relatively benign. Emotional factors in their disease were of major importance. No abnormalities of hemostasis or immune function were found. These cases demonstrate the many problems encountered in the diagnosis and management of such patients.