Citation

Rosenbaum M. Psychosomatics 2000; 41(2): 147-149.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque 87131-5326, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10749953

Abstract

The only consistent finding in studies of psychogenic seizures is the approximately threefold higher incidence in women. Therefore, why women? Charcot and Freud emphasized the sexual aspects of the seizure as has the current interest in childhood sexual abuse. From case studies and review of the literature the author believes that psychogenic seizures in women express rage, fear, and helplessness against the dominant and abusive male rather than sexual conflicts. Emphasizing the aggressive component of seizures does not minimize the traumatic effects of sexual abuse but rather includes it as leading to rage and helplessness.

Language: en