Mark S. Schwartz

Interictal psychopathology in patients with ictal fear A quantitative investigation

We assessed the hypothesis that psychopathology is overrepresented in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) who experience ictal fear. Eleven such patients were matched with two control groups: patients who had TLE without ictal fear and patients who had generalized epilepsy. On several MMPI scales, the TLE-ictal fear group scored significantly higher than the two control groups, which did not differ ssignificantly from each other. Furthermore, the TLE-ictal fear group had more MMPI clinical scales that were pathologically elevated, had significantly more patients with histories of admission to psychiatric hospitals, and had more MMPI profiles that were psychotic than either of the control groups.

Psychopathology in Epilepsy: Relationship of Seizure Type to Age at Onset

Summary: Study of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and generalized epilepsy revealed no overall seizure type differences, nor overall age‐at‐onset effects, on MMPI measures of psychopathology. However, statistically significant interactions between seizure type and age at onset were obtained on several MMPI measures, and subsequent analyses revealed that patients with adolescent‐onset temporal lobe epilepsy are at higher risk of developing psychological dysfunctions.

Behavioral Assessment and Treatment of Pediatric Headache.

Headaches are quite common in children and adolescents, and they appear to persist into adulthood in a sizable number of individuals. Assessment approaches (interview, pain diaries, and general and specific questionnaires) and behavioral treatment interventions (contingency management, relaxation, biofeedback, and cognitive behavior therapy) are reviewed, as is the evidence base for their use. The article concludes with practical suggestions for headache management.

Aggression and Epilepsy: Seizure‐Type Comparisons and High‐Risk Variables

Summary: One hundred fifty‐three patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and 79 patients with generalized epilepsy were compared on a measure of aggression (derived from the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory). Analysis of covariance indicated that seizure type was not related to aggression. Multiple‐regression analyses for each seizure group indicated that in temporal lobe epilepsy the chronologic age was inversely correlated with aggression scores. In the group with generalized epilepsy, chronologic age and myoclonic seizures were inversely correlated with aggression, while akinetic seizures were directly associated with increased aggression.

Psychosis and epilepsy: seizure-type comparisons and high-risk variables.

Compared 153 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and 79 patients with generalized epilepsy on the Goldberg Index, an MMPI-derived measure of psychosis. Analysis of covariance indicated that seizure type was not related to psychosis. Multiple regression analyses indicated that, in TLE, being female was correlated positively with Goldberg Index scores. In the group with generalized epilepsy, none of the variables was associated significantly with psychosis scores.

What is Applied Psychophysiology? Toward a Definition

This paper presents a proposed working definition of “applied psychophysiology.” The paper reviews the background for the term, reasons for formalizing a definition, and boundaries. The working definition, explanation of key terms, and inclusion and exclusion criteria are then presented. Selected questions are then addressed such as whether physiology always has to be measured, and the boundaries such as distinguishing applied psychophysiology from psychotherapy.

Responses to comments and closer to a definition of applied psychophysiology

This paper responds to the nine response papers to the initial paper in this series. This paper also presents a revised working definition of applied psychophysiology which is in concert with many of the responses.