Psychocardiology

In psychocardiology, we view the heart and mind as closely interconnected. Stressors such as chronic stress, anxiety or depressive symptoms can affect the cardiovascular system – at the same time, heart conditions represent a significant psychological challenge for many of those affected.
At the psychosomatic specialist clinic of the Max Grundig Klinik, we combine modern psychosomatic medicine with internal medicine and cardiological expertise. Our aim is to understand physical and emotional burdens holistically and to develop individual pathways towards greater stability, quality of life and health.

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How Do Psychocardiological Disorders Manifest?

Psychocardiology addresses the reciprocal relationships between the heart and the mind within the framework of a modern bio-psycho-social treatment model. Psychological burdens such as chronic stress, anxiety or depression can influence the cardiovascular system and intensify symptoms such as palpitations, cardiac arrhythmias or high blood pressure – even without a demonstrable organic heart condition. At the same time, heart diseases, for example following a heart attack, can trigger considerable psychological distress and have a lasting impact on quality of life.

In psychosomatics, the focus is therefore not only on the treatment of physical symptoms, but also on emotional processing and coping with illness. Heart-related anxiety, stress-associated complaints or psychosomatic symptoms are frequently at the forefront. It is not uncommon for organic heart conditions and mental disorders such as depression or panic disorders to occur simultaneously. For lasting stabilisation, both areas should be comprehensively diagnosed and treated.

A particular example of the close connection between mind and heart is the so-called Takotsubo syndrome, also known as “broken heart syndrome”. This is a stress-induced cardiac muscle condition (stress cardiomyopathy) that is frequently triggered by intense emotional burdens such as loss, grief or serious accidents. In many cases, the condition can resolve completely.

Our Therapy Process

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What to Expect From Us

The therapy process is individually tailored to you, your symptoms and your needs. We coordinate the course of treatment and the therapy plan together with you and adjust it as required. All therapeutic measures are guided by the previously defined therapy goals and proceed in individual steps that build logically on one another.

Planning Your Stay for Psychocardiological Disorders

The therapy process begins even before you are admitted to our clinic. Once you have made the decision to begin inpatient treatment with us for your symptoms, please get in contact with us.
Our patient management team will first explain the organisational framework to you. This is followed by a consultation with one of our specialist physicians or psychotherapists. This preliminary discussion serves as an initial introduction and also includes professional advice regarding inpatient treatment with us.

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Inpatient Admission

At the beginning of your inpatient stay, a therapeutic and an internal medicine admission consultation takes place, into which the information you provided in the questionnaire and your previous medical records are incorporated.
Based on comprehensive diagnostic measures (medical history, psychological testing, further examinations) as well as the defined therapy goals, an individually tailored weekly therapy plan is drawn up together with you. You are actively involved in the therapeutic process from the very beginning.

Patientin wird am Empfang der Max Grundig Klinik beraten

End of Therapy and Return Home

In principle, the therapy aims to establish a balance between stress and recovery, so that the natural capacity for recuperation of both mind and body can stabilise once more.
Towards the end of treatment, you will receive individual relapse prevention as well as concrete preparatory measures for the time following your stay. This also includes clarifying the possibility of continued outpatient treatment, as well as making contact with your previous outpatient practitioner to ensure a smooth return to your familiar home environment.

A Selection of Our Therapy Methods in the Treatment of Psychocardiological Disorders

Our multimodal therapy concept combines various cognitive behavioural therapy approaches according to the latest scientific standards – structured, goal-oriented and always with a focus on your concrete reality of life. Our approach is neurobiologically oriented and cross-methodological.
Our therapy methods include:

Cognitive behavioural psychotherapy
Depth psychology-based methods
Individual and group psychotherapy
If applicable: medication (e.g. antidepressants)
Sports, physiotherapy and movement therapy
Occupational therapy
Music, creative and art therapy measures
Relaxation techniques
Mindfulness, biofeedback, yoga, ACT

In a confidential consultation, we will explore together whether our holistic psychosomatic treatment of psychocardiological disorders is suitable for you.

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Next steps

The treatment of psychocardiological disorders requires careful planning. We take time for you and your concerns. Confidentiality and discretion are fundamental values of our counselling philosophy.

Please call us or send a brief message to arrange a preliminary consultation with our medical-psychological expert team.

Our patient management team is happy to advise you on questions regarding the application process and further admission formalities. We have also compiled a guide to applying for an acute inpatient stay for you.
Prior authorisation is required for cost coverage of an inpatient stay by your private health insurance or subsidy office. Please contact your outpatient practitioner (general practitioner, specialist in psychiatry or psychosomatic medicine) and ask them to submit a cost coverage application for an acute inpatient psychosomatic treatment at the Max Grundig Klinik.

If you have any questions about the formal requirements of a cost coverage application, please do not hesitate to contact our patient management team. We are happy to support and advise you. We have also compiled a guide to applying for an acute inpatient stay for you.
As soon as you have received written confirmation from your private health insurance provider, we can work together to plan and prepare for the start of your treatment with us. We strive to arrange your admission as quickly as possible. Our Patient Management team is at your disposal to coordinate appointments and answer any further questions you may have.

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Coverage of Costs

Provided that a declaration of cost coverage is in place, private comprehensive insurance providers typically cover the full costs of inpatient treatment. As patients covered by supplementary government health schemes (*Beihilfe*) may incur residual costs, we recommend that you inquire with your *Beihilfe* office in advance to determine exactly which costs will be covered. Our Patient Management team is happy to provide you with guidance and assistance in this matter.

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