Psychological Characteristics of the Epileptic

Forty noninstitutionalized epileptics were matched with 40 physically handicapped Ss individuals. A representative battery of psychological tests was administered to both groups. The epileptics and handicapped subjects were compared on 42 variables by batteries of psychological tests, 14 of which proved significant. When the significant predictors were intercorrelated and a Wherry-Doolittle multiple R derived, 3 variables were found to contribute unique variance the (WAIS) Weehslor Adult Intelligence Scale and full scale IQ, Rorschach 2c, and Hand Test CRIP. Results were interpreted as indicating that epileptics tend to resemble patients with organic brain syndromes and appear to be lacking in behavioral control and sensitivity to their condition. OHIO J. SCI. 76(6): 259, 1976 Despite a considerable body of research, the question of whether or not there is an epileptic personality remains unresolved. Epileptics have been variously described as narcissistic, egocentric, lacking intimate friendships, lonely, solitary, pedantic, phlegmatic, explosive, hypersentimental, ambitious, stubborn, tenacious, emotionally impoverished, intellectually dull, verbally stereotyped, adhesive, fanatic, vain and ethically deprived (Eysenck, 1950; Fleck, 1935; Folsom, 1953; Harrower-Erickson, 1941; MacCurdy, 1916; Notkin, 1928; Sedman, 1966; Stauder, 1938; and Zimmerman et al, 1951). Although there are many and diverse opinions concerning the etiology and nature of the epileptic character, few experimental studies have served as the basis for these clinical formulations and Meyers and Brecker (1941) have concluded that; "A critical examination of the numerous writings committed to this concept indicates that the author's convictions have been reached essentially by the method of subjective impression and that they have been reinforced largely by verbal reiteration and the implicit tendency to perceive the epileptic individual in terms of a well-established attitudinal set." Manuscript received October 23, 1975 and in revised form May 27, 1976 (#75-62). Guerrant et al (1962), in a review of the literature, were unable to find even one paper which met ". . . the most rudimentary standards of experimental design and reporting." Another group of researchers has eschewed the ascription of a specific personality characteristic in the epileptic in favor of the position that epileptics are manifesting organic symptoms of disturbance or signs of a congenital constitutional defect (Clark, 1922; Clark and Cushing, 1931; Fedio and Mirsky, 1969; Ferguson, 1962; Ferguson et al, 1969; Gallagher et al, 1942; Gibbs and Stamps, 1958; Pond, 1952; Revitch, 1955). A similar, slightly watered down, view is held by those espousing the hypothesis that epileptics demonstrate certain traits which may be due at least partly to organic involvement (Altable, 1947; Bradley, 1951; Brady, 1964; Bridge, 1934; Davidoff et al, 1944; Deutsch, 1953; Folsom, 1953; Piotrowski, 1947; Schwartz et al, 1969; Taylor, 1969a, b; and Zimmerman et al, 1951. This lack of agreement among researchers can, to some extent, be attributed to methodological deficiencies such as the lack of suitable controls in epilepsy research (Folsom, 1953; Pruyser, 1953; Korman, 1960; Tizard, 1962; Heilbrun, 1962; Haynes and Sells, 1963; Hartlage, 1966). Other weaknesses in various studies can be pointed out, such as the use of institu-