Twelve non-epileptic patients with psychogenic “convulsive” pseudoseizures were studied to delineate useful diagnostic criteria. Six patients had severe psychological disturbances, a long pseudoseizure history and a poor prognosis, while the other six showed little psychopathology, had undergone a recent emotional trauma to account for their pseudoseizures and had a relatively good prognosis. The characteristics of a typical attack precipitated by suggestion, the ictal or post-ictal EEG and the overall patient profile allowed a definite diagnosis in each case.
References
1.
RicherP.Etudes cliniques sur l'hystéro-épilepsie ou grande hystérie.Paris: Adrien Delahaye et Emile Lecrosnier, Editeurs,1881.
2.
GowersW.R.Epilepsy and other chronic convulsive diseases. Their causes, symptoms and treatment.London: J & A Churchill,1881.
3.
LiskeE., ForsterF.M.Pseudoseizures: a problem in the diagnosis and management of epileptic patients.Neurology (Minneap)1964; 14: 41–9.
KrumholzA., NeidermeyerE., AlkaitisA., MorrelR.Psychogenic or “hysterical” seizures.11th Epilepsy International Symposium, Florence, Italy, 1979.
10.
GoodwinJ., GrossM.Pseudoseizures and incest.Am J Psychiatry1979; 136: 1231.
11.
DesaiB.T., PorterR.J., PenryJ.K.The psychogenic seizure by videotape analysis: a study of 42 attacks in 6 patients.Neurology (Minneap)1979; 29: 602.
12.
HolmesG.L., SackellaresJ.C., RaglandM., DreifussF.E.Pseudoseizures in childhood: a clinical appraisal using prolonged electroencephalographic telemetry and videotape monitoring.Ann Neurol1979; 6: 186.
13.
SchwarzB.E., BickfordR.G., RasmussenW.C.Hypnotic phenomena, including hypnotically activated seizures, studied with the electroencephalogram.J Nerv Ment Dis1955; 122: 564–74.
14.
PetersonD.B., SumnerJ.W.Jr, JonesG.A.Role of hypnosis in differentation of epileptic from convulsive-like seizures.Am J Psychiatry1950; 107: 428–32.
15.
TrimbleM.R.Serum prolactin in epilepsy and bacteria.Br Med J1978; 2: 1682.
16.
AbbottR.J., BrowningM.C.K., DavidsonD.L.W.Serum prolactin and cortisol concentration after grand mal seizures.J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry1980; 43: 163–7.
