Hystero-epilepsy

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Hystero-epilepsy is an alleged disease "discovered" by 19th-century French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot.[1] It is considered a famous example of iatrogenic artifact, or a disease created by doctors.

The disease was considered a combination of hysteria and epilepsy. Charcot housed his "hystero-epilepsy" patients in the same ward as patients with epilepsy, because both were considered "episodic" diseases. At the time, both hysteria and epilepsy were believed to be neuroses; and diseases caused by the conversion of psychological distress into physical distress. Symptoms included "convulsions, contortions, fainting, and transient impairment of consciousness."

Joseph Babinski convinced Charcot that he was inducing the symptoms in his patients because of his treatment regimen. [2]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Arthur Gamgee. An Account of a Demonstration on the Phenomena of Hystero-Epilepsy Given by Professor Charcot. Br Med J. 1878 October 12; 2(928): 545–548..
  2. ^ Spanos, Nicholas P. Multiple Identities and False Memories: A Sociocognitive Perspective (Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association, 1996).
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