| Summary: | "Throughout history people have misunderstood and mistrusted epileptics. Even today, with growing clarity and tolerance toward the disorder, psychomotor epileptics are singled out as peculiar. None of these attitudes rest on scientifically derived information reported so as to permit verification. Here at last is the first comprehensive, controlled study of the problem. Six experts survey the development of thought on the subject over the past century. Their study is based on three groups of subjects--one having psychomotor epilepsy, one grand mal epilepsy, and the third various medical illnesses. The subjects were tested and observed neurologically, psychiatrically, and psychologically. All data were subjected to statistical analysis--all conclusions based on statistically significant differences among the groups. The results justify a considerable revision of opinion about mental and emotional functioning in epileptics. The experienced clinician who deals with the problem of epilepsy is painfully aware of the social attitude with which the epileptic must contend, the insecurity he suffers, and the resulting social, economic, and psychological disruption these factors produce in his life adjustment. The present study by Guerrant and his colleagues will do much to promote greater realism in social attitudes toward epileptics and to bring about greater professional effectiveness in treating them and helping them adapt to their problems"--Jacket. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved).
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