Diagnosis, management and prognosis of a group of 128 patients with non-epileptic attack disorder. Part II. Previous childhood sexual abuse in the aetiology of these disorders

In a group of female in-patients clinically diagnosed as having non-epileptic attack disorder there was an increased incidence of a proven previous history of sexual abuse in childhood, when compared with a group of women with epilepsy and a group of women with other psychiatric disorders admitted to the same ward. This was particularly true of women with the 'swoon' and 'abreactive' type of non-epileptic attack disorder (see Part I). The incidence of a history of previous abuse was similar to the two control groups for other types of non-epileptic attack disorder. The swoon was seen as a cut-off phenomenon: the abreactive attack as a kind of acting out the memory of the abuse, part of a post-traumatic stress disorder. Both may respond to counselling for the abuse although it is too early to be certain, and there is a risk of further episodes of the non-epileptic attack disorder during periods of stress. Some patients with epilepsy, however, also had a history of previous sexual abuse: in some the stress of the abuse may have precipitated the epileptic seizures.

The current clinical practice of herbal medicine in psychiatry in mainland China: a review of literature

The current clinical psychiatric practice of herbal medicine in the People's Republic of China was explored by reviewing the literature. The results found in many of the articles were lacking methodological strictness. Some reliable articles reported that certain herbal medicines were effective for psychiatric conditions, and that a combination treatment of modern drugs with herbs was useful for the enhancement of the efficacy and the reduction of both recovery time and side effects. It is suggested that more sophisticated investigations are necessary to corroborate any conclusions concerning the value for herbal medicine in the psychiatric field.

Hysterical symptoms in ophthalmology

Ophthalmologic symptoms are often not sufficiently accounted for by organic pathology. The complaints of these patients have been labeled hysterical, psychogenic, non-organic, or functional. The psychiatric nosology in this area may be the most confusing in the whole field of clinical medicine. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III-R) offers a classification designed to reduce non-empirical concepts and ideology to a minimum. On this background, we discuss the hysterical symptoms encountered in clinical ophthalmology with special emphasis on psychogenic amblyopia and blepharospasm. Motor symptoms are commonly not of psychogenic origin. It is suggested that ophthalmologists are most likely to treat patients with psychogenic symptoms, using suggestion, patience, and reassurance. Few patients require psychiatric consultation and a specific psychiatric therapy. The association of hysteria with organic brain disease and the issue of symptom lateralization are briefly discussed. Eventually, we reject the psychoanalytic approach and suggest that the concept of abnormal illness behavior and the neurobiological models involving corticofugal inhibition, primitive reflex mechanisms, and an attention disturbance, serve best to understand the nature of the phenomenon hysteria.

The spectrum of child and parent response to eye disease

Patient and parent response to the presence or supposed presence of eye disease is a major factor in handling pediatric ophthalmology patients. The response may vary from passive acceptance of a blinding disease to hysteria, neurosis, or even psychosis. A literature review has shown that there is wide variation of understanding by the practitioner of the importance of this phase of ophthalmic practice. The author has drawn on three decades of ophthalmic practice. When blindness, for example, is threatened, our "normal" responses change, and what we judge as normal should also. Ways of evaluating and treating patient or parent responses are suggested, along with guidelines for using consultants and others. This may play a role in malpractice suits.

[Hysterical psychosis: clinical aspects and disease course]

30 patients admitted to our psychiatric service with the initial diagnosis of psychogenic psychosis, dissociative psychosis or hysterical pseudo-psychosis are studied anamnestically and in their catamnesis (average follow up 5.1 years). The objective of the study was to see if these disorders are independent nosologic entities or are masking other ones, such as affective, schizophrenic or neurotic disorders. In this study we found a greater percentage of women (3/1) with a previous hysterical personality in more than 50%; many of the patients were hospitalised in order to clarify the diagnosis; in 70% we found psychogenic triggers; a greater predominance of an abrupt onset of the disorder (which would favour the concept of reaction); 60% had fluctuating symptoms (not so common in endogenous psychosis). In almost 100% there was a complete remission during the hospitalization period (average 22.7 days), which would bring them closer to the present concept of brief reactive psychosis. With a follow up of an average of five years, the diagnosis is maintained in 93.3% of the cases. The majority of the patients fulfilled the criteria for hysterical psychosis as defined by Hollender and Hirsch. We think that these disorders are well delimited, both clinically and nosologically, not having received up until now an exact placing in modern classification systems (DSM-III, ICD-10, etc.).

The unseen tears of children: a Chinese boy who vomited for 14 months

A Chinese boy in Hong Kong who vomited for 14 months after his father had gone abroad to work is reported. Despite the very obvious predicament and sadness, more than 30 doctors had failed to understand the patient. In their search for a disease to explain the symptom, they trapped both themselves and the patient in the symptom of vomiting. It is argued that this patient should have been understood not from the angle of the traditional medical model. Neither was the psychoanalytical model useful. Rather the communication model of hysteria is much more practical; the vomiting can be construed as the unseen tears of a boy entrenched helplessly in his predicament. These unseen and unrecognized tears had cost the patient 14 months of precious life.

Use of ECT in hysterical catatonia. A case report and discussion

Catatonia is now accepted as a non-specific syndrome. Hysteria can very rarely be a cause. A case of hysterical catatonia developing twice in a year, and on both occasions responding to ECT, is presented. Initial diagnostic difficulties, and use of the sodium pentothal interview as a diagnostic test, are also described.

Mass hysteria: two syndromes?

On the basis of a literature review it is concluded that mass hysteria can be divided into two syndromes. One form, to be called 'mass anxiety hysteria', consists of episodes of acute anxiety, occurring mainly in schoolchildren. Prior tension is absent and the rapid spread is by visual contact. Treatment consists of separating the participants and the prognosis is good. The second form, to be called 'mass motor hysteria', consists of abnormalities in motor behaviour. It occurs in any age group and prior tension is present. Initial cases can be identified and the spread is gradual. Treatment should be directed towards the underlying stressors but the outbreak may be prolonged. In mass anxiety hysteria the abnormality is confined to group interactions; in mass motor hysteria abnormal personalities and environments are implicated.

The revival of "Dora": advances in psychoanalytic theory and technique

For nearly six decades after its publication in 1905, Freud's remarkable case of Dora remained untouched by critical comment. However, beginning in the early 1970's, an abundance of articles began to appear, which focused exclusively on the Dora case. The present paper reviews the literature of this so-called "Dora revival" in order to explain the historical and theoretical reasons leading to this extraordinary burst of research. Above all, two vital developments in the psychoanalytic discipline created the climate that fostered the Dora revival. First, there was a revolutionary change in attitude toward the phenomenon of countertransference: in contrast to the classical view of countertransference as a disruptive interference in treatment, analysts increasingly regarded countertransference as a pervasive and natural process, which could be potentially utilized to enhance understanding of the patient's unconscious conflicts and defenses. Second, there was enormous and rapid growth of a comprehensive psychoanalytic theory of adolescence and its treatment. Thus, based on a more favorable attitude toward countertransference, and a much improved understanding of the unique problems of adolescence, psychoanalysts could reexamine and better understand the decisive events that contributed to Freud's abortive analytic treatment of Dora.

Freud, Dora, and the maid: a study of countertransference

Early advances in psychoanalytic knowledge, profound though they were, were incomplete structures to be built upon, modified, and partially discarded. In addition to errors due to insufficient knowledge, Freud's difficulties with Dora stemmed from countertransference. Dora's transference included an identification with a governess/maid. Important oedipal role played by a nursemaid in Freud's life made him vulnerable to being left by Dora. The maid, Monika, "the prime originator" of Freud's neurosis, seduced him, chastised him, and taught him of hell. In his self-analysis she was associated with Freud's mother who left him when she gave birth to his sister. When he was two and a half years old, Monika was discharged and jailed for stealing. I suggest that Freud's attraction to Dora revealed itself in his libidinal imagery of the treatment and his premature sexual interpretations, the effects of which he misjudged. Defending against his attraction, he pushed her away from him, did not act to keep her in analysis or allow her to reenter analysis later. In addition, since Dora had left him as he must have felt his childhood nursemaid had, he reacted as if she were that maid. Hurt, saddened, and angered, he used reversal and deserted her, thus damping his feelings.

Women's "sickness": a case of secondary gains or primary losses

The functionalist view of the sick role is analyzed in terms of its applicability to women. Rather than focusing on the so-called secondary gains of the sick role, attention is given to the primary losses incurred when women's problems are subject to medical definitions and interventions. Women's "sickness" is placed in a historical and sociopolitical context. The "sickness" of the nursing profession and the "sickness" of women are seen as sharing similar symptoms, the same etiology, and hence a common cure.

Family hysteria in a Kenyan setting

A case study of hysterical fits affecting five children in the same family in rural Kenya is presented. The only girl in the study was the last to succumb, probably reflecting her modeling upon her mother. The psychopathology of the family is discussed. Conjoint family therapy led to rapid and dramatic recovery.