Psychiatric morbidity and psychodynamics of patients with convulsive pseudoseizures

Forty-six female patients with pseudoseizures were compared with 50 female patients referred to a psychiatric outpatient clinic. Patients with convulsive pseudoseizures were more likely to be single and childless. An abnormal EEG was more frequently reported in patients with convulsive pseudoseizures, contributing to their earlier diagnosis of epilepsy. The defence mechanisms of patients with convulsive pseudoseizures using the Defense Mechanisms Inventory (DMI) were particularly characterized by higher scores on the 'reversal' scale and lower scores on the 'turning against self' scale. Mood disorders were more common in general psychiatric patients, while one-third of convulsive pseudoseizure patients did not complain of psychiatric symptoms.