Pseudoseizures, families, and unspeakable dilemmas

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-1-1998

Journal

Psychosomatics

Volume

39

Issue

2

DOI

10.1016/S0033-3182(98)71361-1

Abstract

Fourteen videotaped family interviews of patients with diagnosed pseudoseizures were studied to determine the relationship of the symptoms to unspeakable dilemmas as forced choices imposed by family or social circumstances under conditions that also require the ensuing distress to be hidden. An unspeakable dilemma was evident in 13 of 14 interviews, with the patient the most silent family member in 13 interviews. In six cases, there was revealed a realistic threat of physical or sexual assault to a person involved in the problem, although not always the patient. These findings point to an important role for family therapy skills in the evaluation and treatment of pseudoseizures.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS