title: Psychogenic seizures--why women?
abstract: The only consistent finding in studies of psychogenic seizures is the approximately threefold higher incidence in women. Therefore, why women? Charcot and Freud emphasized the sexual aspects of the seizure as has the current interest in childhood sexual abuse. From case studies and review of the literature the author believes that psychogenic seizures in women express rage, fear, and helplessness against the dominant and abusive male rather than sexual conflicts. Emphasizing the aggressive component of seizures does not minimize the traumatic effects of sexual abuse but rather includes it as leading to rage and helplessness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque 87131-5326, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosenbaum
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology; D003291:Conversion Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011902:Rape / Q000523:psychology; D012640:Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D012803:Sick Role