The contribution of life events to pseudoseizure occurrence in adults.

Life events associated with pseudoseizures were studied in 58 adults. Recent precipitants were diverse and triggered affect that was usually related to current life problems or remote trauma. Four patterns of remote and recent events were found, two related to trauma and two to inadequate emotional expression. When evaluating pseudoseizure precipitants, clinicians should consider the meaning of recent events in light of remote trauma, current life context, and dysfunctional familial patterns of handling affect.