Can emotions precipitate seizures--a review of the question.

Controversy over the emotional precipitation of seizures has existed for centuries. Large clinical studies have generally shown a significant proportion of seizures to be triggered by emotions. Laboratory studies have been reported which describe seizure activity on the electroencephalogram during periods of experimentally induced stress. However, very few pf these studies have utilized control groups and blind evaluators. The numerous reports of the emotional precipitation of seizures indicate that the phenomenon may be genuine and that further research is warranted. Research on emotional interventions such as biofeedback techniques and psychotherapy is the next step, and early work on these interventions is promising.