Abstract
A small sample of American Black females who suffer from "falling-out" (seizure-like episodes with no evidence of organicity) were intensively interviewed and tested with a battery of psychological instruments. Results indicated that subjects were of good intelligence and did not have personality profiles of hysterics. Commonalities included depression which appeared characterological rather than reactive; emotional constriction: denial and repression as primary defense mechanisms; lack of creative and imaginal resources; sexual problems and pronounced hostility toward males; and a tendency toward withdrawal and isolation in daily life. "Falling-out" appeared to be a desperate mode of dealing with anxiety in a group with limited coping mechanisms and almost no external support systems.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 115-116 |
Number of pages | 2 |
Journal | Social Science and Medicine. Part B Medical Anthropology |
Volume | 13 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 1979 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Geography, Planning and Development
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health