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Psychogenic Seizures—

Why Women?

Received February 23, 1999; revised September 1, 1999; accepted September 15, 1999. From the Department of Psychiatry, University of New Mexico, 2400 Tucker NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131–5326. Address reprint requests to Dr. Rosenbaum.

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.

Key Words: Gender • Women • Psychogenic Seizures

This article has been cited by other articles:

				P. Salmon, S. M. Al-Marzooqi, G. Baker, and J. Reilly Childhood Family Dysfunction and Associated Abuse in Patients With Nonepileptic Seizures: Towards a Causal Model Psychosom Med, July 1, 2003; 65(4): 695 - 700. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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