ROLE OF HYPNOSIS IN DIFFERENTIATION OF EPILEPTIC FROM CONVULSIVE-LIKE SEIZURES
DONALD B. PETERSON MC, AUS1,
JOHN W. SUMNER JR. MC, AUS2, , and
GORDON A. JONES MSC, AUS.3
1 Chief, Neuropsychiatric Service, Fitzsimons General Hospital.
2 Chief, Neurology Section, Fitzsimons General Hospital.
3 Chief, Psychology Section, Fitzsimons General Hospital.
The differential diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy from psychogenic seizures was discussed from the points of view of difficulty of diagnosis, inadequacy of differentiating data, and the benefit of exact diagnosis to the patient and the taxpayer.
An analysis was made of 65 cases of convulsive disorder, who were subjected to investigation with hypnosis, EEG, and thorough organic study. There were 30 cases of idiopathic epilepsy and 35 of psychogenic seizure. The analysis indicated that investigation under hypnosis with especial reference to whether or not the patient recalled the details of his seizures was of differential diagnostic value.
