NCJ Number
72908
Journal
Psychiatria Clinica Volume: 1 Issue: 6 Dated: (1968) Pages: 375-381
Date Published
1968
Length
7 pages
Annotation
A German case study of a 26-year-old man who committed a criminal act while he was experiencing an epileptic twilight seizure is presented.
Abstract
The subject first appeared in a clinic after his fiancee had broken their engagement. He had consumed a large quantity of alcohol and had threatened to kill himself. After returning to his senses, he was unable to remember his activities. An investigation revealed a history of similar amnesic episodes which had followed upon intense abdominal pains. During a later stay in a clinic, the full course of such seizures could be observed. Symptoms of the vegetative nervous system included sweating and a loss of color followed by flushing; physiological symptoms included a smacking of the lips, movements similar to those of a bicyclist, a swaying of the upper torso, and short runs. Occasionally (2 to 15 minutes), periods of aggressive activity were observed. The seizures often followed emotion-arousing events. The criminal offense occurred five months after a stay in a clinic. The subject had fallen into debt and was unable to pay his bills. On the evening of the offense he had seen a war film and had then consumed three-quarters of a liter of a beer. After going to bed, he was heard to arise, smacking his lips. Dressed in his Sunday suit, he proceeded to a bank and broke a window with a cobblestone. He was apprehended as he was attempting to remove cracked glass from the window, and the police noted that he was not fully conscious of his behavior. Afterwards, the subject could remember only one or two details of the events. In spite of the presence of an apparent motive for the offense (need of money), the court released the subject based on the evidence provided through the clinics on the nature of his illness. Related studies are reviewed, and a reference list, (11 items) is included. --in German.