Peculiarities of Emotional Regulation with MVP Patients: A Study of the Effects of Rational-emotive Therapy

The present study examines the characteristics of the emotional experiences of patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and indicates ways to develop emotional regulation and to reduce clinical implications in MVP patients through the use of rational-emotive psychotherapy. We examined 290 MVP patients and 73 healthy subjects. The data show that MVP patients are distinguished from healthy subjects by increased hypersensibility in emotive situations and by anxiety, low recognition of one's needs and emotions, and a decline in the ability to regulate emotions. The psychotherapy produced good results: a sound tendency toward the development of personality reflection; improved structuring and recognition of emotional experience; and a reduction in the physical aspects of MVP.