Psychogenic seizures - Why women?

The only consistent finding in studies of psychogenic seizures is the appro ximately threefold higher incidence in women. Therefore, why women? Charcot and Freud emphasized the sexual aspects of the seizure as has the current interest in childhood sexual abuse. From case studies and review of the lit erature the author believes that psychogenic seizures in women express rage , fear and helplessness against the dominant and abusive male rather than s exual conflicts. Emphasizing the aggressive component of seizures does not minimize the traumatic effects of sexual abuse but rather includes it as le ading to rage and helplessness.