Related Experiment Videos
Familial psychogenic blindness and headache: a case study
1Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City 66160-7314.
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
|March 1, 1994
Summary
This study reports the first known case of psychogenic amaurosis, a rare conversion disorder causing temporary blindness, occurring in multiple family members. The condition, accompanied by severe headaches, resolved with suggestion, suggesting a mass hysteria mechanism.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Amaurosis, a conversion phenomenon causing temporary blindness, is exceptionally rare, with no prior reports in multiple family members.
- This case presents a unique instance of familial psychogenic amaurosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate a rare case of psychogenic amaurosis occurring in a father and his two adult children.
- To explore the potential underlying mechanisms and clinical presentation of familial conversion disorders.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive clinical evaluation was performed on three family members experiencing episodic blindness and severe headaches.
- Extensive radiological examinations and multiple laboratory tests were conducted to rule out organic causes.
Main Results:
- No organic disease was identified in any of the three affected individuals.
- All patients experienced varying degrees of recovery, often following suggestive therapeutic interventions.
Conclusions:
- Psychogenic amaurosis, particularly when accompanied by headaches, can mimic migraine.
- The familial occurrence suggests a mechanism akin to mass hysteria, highlighting the psychological and social factors in conversion disorders.