Epileptic seizures and infantile states: some thoughts from psychodynamic therapy.
A brief introduction to psychoanalytic thinking around epileptic seizures is given. It is notable how little attention has been paid by psychoanalysis to the psyche-soma links present in epilepsy. The psyche-soma world of the early infant is outlined, along with the impact of impingements on this fragile world. It is postulated that for certain individuals with epilepsy, the seizure state may generate a regression to an earlier developmental state of being involving a change in emotional state and the emergence of unconscious phantasies. Single case study material from the psychodynamically orientated art therapy of 'Gordon', a man with epilepsy and learning disabilities, is used to illustrate and support this hypothesis. This work took place in a specialized centre for epilepsy.
Cregeen
S
S
David Lewis Centre, Cheshire, UK.
D000328:Adult; D001155:Art Therapy; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000523:psychology; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D017029:Epilepsy, Complex Partial / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005201:Fantasy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D010553:Personality Development; D011573:Psychoanalytic Interpretation; D011574:Psychoanalytic Theory; D011575:Psychoanalytic Therapy; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D012043:Regression, Psychology; D012803:Sick Role; D014473:Unconscious, Psychology