Stomach symptoms and up-down metaphors and gradients.

Previous work demonstrated a relationship in an ulcer patient between stomach pain during psychotherapy sessions and preoccupation with up-down themes. The generality of this phenomenon was investigated by determining in normal males the relationship of number of stomach symptoms to various up-down parameters. A significant positive correlation was found between stomach symptoms and the shifting of horizontal upward. Stomach positive correlation was found between stomach symptoms and the shifting of horizontal upward. Stomach symptoms were also significantly positively correlated with an up-down physiology index (hand minus foot temperature). Finally, a borderline positive correlation was found between stomach symptoms and relative awareness of the upper as compared to lower sectors of one's body. The data suggest that the occurrence of stomach symptoms is linked to up-down sets or gradients at perceptual, physiological, and perhaps body image levels.