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