Female cases of falling-out: A psychological evaluation of a small sample

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.