Adult attachment style and childhood interpersonal trauma in non-epileptic attack disorder

Epilepsy Res. 2008 Mar;79(1):84-9. doi: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2007.12.015. Epub 2008 Feb 20.

Abstract

Non-epileptic attack disorder (NEAD) poses a significant clinical problem but is poorly understood. Attachment theory provides a framework for understanding the development and maintenance of NEAD and the contribution of childhood abuse and neglect to these processes. A cross-sectional design was used to study attachment style and early traumatic experiences in individuals with NEAD (N=17) compared to those with epilepsy (N=26). A significant difference in predominant attachment style between the two groups was found, with fearful attachment occurring more frequently in the NEAD group. Abuse and neglect were also significantly more common in the NEAD patients. Both early traumatic experiences and fearful attachment added significantly to the predictive power of a logistic regression equation after controlling for anxiety and dysthymia. The findings suggest a link between disturbed attachment and NEAD and have clinical implications for therapeutic intervention with this group.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Child Abuse / psychology
  • Child Abuse / statistics & numerical data
  • Electroencephalography
  • Epilepsy, Absence / diagnosis
  • Epilepsy, Absence / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Object Attachment*
  • Personality Inventory
  • Psychometrics
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / diagnosis
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / physiopathology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires