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A case of petit-mal status: a diagnostic dilemma

Published Online:https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.132.11.1200

The author describes a case in which the "crazy" behavior of a woman with petit mal status (PMS) was initially misinterpreted in an emergency room situation. The diagnosis of PMS was confirmed by electroencephalography. The author notes the need to consider the possibility of this diagnosis when there is a history of seizures in conjunction with an altered state of consciousness.

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