Others Are to Blame (Displacement in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy)

To evaluate the defense mechanisms (DM) in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy and, to determine whether displacement is associated with seizures.

Following an examination, 50 patients were diagnosed in accordance with the 2005 proposal of the International League Against Epilepsy and the definition of drug-resistant epilepsy from 2010. The neuropsychological examination used the Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40). We measured the intensity of individual DMs. Mature DMs: sublimation, humor, suppression and anticipation; neurotic DMs: undoing, pseudo-altruism, idealization and reactive formation; and immature DMs: projections, passive aggression, acting out, isolation, devaluation, autistic fantasies, denial, displacement, dissociation, splitting, rationalization and somatization. The values were compared with 50 subjects without epilepsy.

Patients with drug-resistant epilepsy use immature defensive styles significantly more (p=0.0010). Displacement have a positive correlation with frequency of seizure (p=0.0412).

Blaming others is a characteristic of the behavior of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, especially if they have seizures. As such, they may be less adaptable in a micro social environment.