Perception of verbal and nonverbal affective stimuli in complex partial seizure disorder.

Abstract

The present study addressed areas of empirical uncertainty regarding the perception of emotion by individuals with complex partial seizure (CPS) disorder focusing on a particular and controversial theoretic 'enhancement' model (Bear & Fedio, 1977). In the main, CPS groups did not differ from each other or from non-seizure neurologic (multiple sclerosis) or healthy control groups. The findings provided little support for the theoretic model, in terms of the following hypothesized CPS phenomena: (1) internal (self-awareness) and external (external stimuli) perceptual hyperemotionality, (2) emotional and behavioral hyperemotionality, and (3) a unique personality profile. Overall, rather than finding support for an enhancement model--relative to the emotion perceptual processing of patients with complex partial seizures, the current study provides data more consistent with a deficit model.