Studies in Epilepsy: Personality Pattern, Situational Stress, and the Symptoms of Narcolepsy

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Abstract
Four patients suffering from narcolepsy were studied intensively. A search was made for any possible relationship between the attacks and the circumstances in which they oc -curred, as well as to the particular life-pattern of behavior. Case histories, direct questioning, free associations, and Na amytal interviews were employed in the investigation. In 2 patients eeg. recordings were made during the Na amytal inter- view. The personality pattern of the narcoleptic patient is characterized by a conflict between a strong drive for independence which is coupled with emotional needs requiring close relationships with others. Attacks of narcolepsy usually occur in situations where behavior consciously unacceptable to the patient is in danger of being evoked. The symptoms may also intervene in the absence of psychologic tensions when the patient''s interest in the environment is minimal as a result of chronic emotional distress. Narcolepsy resembles epilepsy in that the symptoms of both disorders disrupt organism-environment integration and thus prevent awareness and action which threaten to disorganize consciously acceptable patterns of behavior. The eeg. patterns during the narcoleptic attacks, whether they occurred spontaneously or under the influence of 0.3 g. Na amytal, corresponded to the pattern characteristic of light normal sleep. Case histories of the 4 patients are included.

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