Aura phenomena and psychopathology: a pilot investigation

Epilepsia. 1994 Jul-Aug;35(4):778-84. doi: 10.1111/j.1528-1157.1994.tb02511.x.

Abstract

We investigated a possible relation between aura phenomena and psychopathology in patients with seizure disorders. Twenty-one patients with a variety of seizure types (90% with generalized seizures, 72% with complex partial seizures, CPS) were studied. Aura phenomena were evaluated with the Silberman-Post Psychosensory Phenomena Scale; psychopathology was assessed with the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Lifetime Version (SADS-L), the Minnesota Multiple Personality Inventory (MMPI), and the Washington Psychosocial Seizure Inventory (WPSI). Psychosensory symptoms occurring in the absence of frank seizures, but not those occurring with seizures, were related to increased psychopathology (primarily mood and anxiety related) and greater time in psychiatric treatment. Psychosensory symptoms may reflect ongoing neurophysiologic dysfunction related to epilepsy and may therefore be a useful subject for further study.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adult
  • Anxiety Disorders / diagnosis
  • Anxiety Disorders / epidemiology
  • Automatism / epidemiology
  • Automatism / psychology
  • Comorbidity
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnosis
  • Depressive Disorder / epidemiology
  • Electroencephalography
  • Epilepsy / diagnosis
  • Epilepsy / epidemiology
  • Epilepsy / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • MMPI
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Mental Disorders / epidemiology
  • Perceptual Disorders / epidemiology
  • Perceptual Disorders / psychology
  • Pilot Projects
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Psychomotor Disorders / epidemiology
  • Psychomotor Disorders / psychology
  • Sensation Disorders / epidemiology
  • Sensation Disorders / psychology
  • Social Adjustment