Abstract
Controversy exists in the literature as to whether or not there is a causal relationship between epilepsy and violence. In spite of this lack of certainty, epilepsy has long been used as a criminal defense. After a review of the relevant literature, the following conclusions are made: (1) ictal violence is rare, disorganized, and very unlikely to result in acts of vicious violence; and (2) whether or not interictal violence is caused by epilepsy probably depends on the focus of the seizure activity, with right temporal lobe epileptics being most likely to display violence and aggression.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ashford, J.W., Schultz, S.C., &Walsh, G.D. (1980). “Violent automatism in a partial complex seizure: Report of a case.Archives of Neurology, 37, 120–122.
Bear, D.M., &Fedio, P. (1977). “Quantitative analysis of interictal behavior in temporal lobe epilepsy.”Archives of Neurology, 34, 454–467.
Bergen, D., Kessler, E., &Madden, T. (1980). “Can Violence be a manifestation of epilepsy? (letter).”Neurology, 30, 1337–1338.
Delgado-Escueta, A.V., Mattosn, R.H., King, L., Goldensohn, E.S., Spiegel, H., Madsen, J., Crandall, P., Dreifuss, F., &Porter, R.J. (1981). “Special report: The nature of aggression during epileptic seizures.”New England Journal of Medicine, 305, 711–716.
Devinsky, D., &Bear, D. (1984). “Varieties of aggressive behavior in temporal lobe epilepsy.”American Journal of Psychiatry, 141, 651–656.
Gunn, J. (1978). “Epileptic homicide: A case report.”British Journal of Psychiatry, 132, 510–513.
Hall, H.V. (1982). “Dangerousness predictions and the maligned forensic professional: Suggestions for detecting distortion of true basal violence.”Criminal Justice and Behavior, 9(1), 3–12.
Hermann, B.P., &Whitman, S. (1984). “Behavioral personality correlates of epilepsy: A review, methodological critique, and conceptual model.”Psychological Bulletin, 95, 451–497.
Jafee, R. (1980). “Can violence be a manifestation of epilepsy? (letter).”Neurology, 30, 1337.
King, D.W., &Marsan, C.A. (1977). “Clinical features and ictal patterns in epileptic patients with EEG temporal lobe foci.”Annals of Neurology, 2, 138–147.
Keiger, L. (1985, October 25). “Brain damage linked to violent behavior.”American Medical News, pp. 3, 19–22.
Lewis, D.O., Shanok, S.S., Pincus, J.H., &Glaser, B.H. (1979). “Violent juvenile delinquents: Psychiatric, neurological, psychological, and abuse factors.”Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry, 18, 307–319.
Mark, V.H., Sweet, W.H., &Ervin, F.R. (1967). “Role of brain disease in riots and urban violence.”Journal of the American Medical Association, 201, 895.
Pincus, J.H. (1980). “Can violence be a manifestation of epilepsy?”Neurology, 30, 304–307.
Pollack, R. (1984, May), “The epilepsy defense.”Atlantic Monthly pp. 20–28.
Ramani, V., &Gumnit, R.J. (1981). “Intensive monitoring of epileptic patients with a history of episodic aggression.”Archives of Neurology, 38, 570–571.
Rodin, E.A. (1973). “Psychomotor epilepsy and aggressive behavior.”Archives of General Psychiztry, 28, 210–213.
Sperry, R. (1982). “Some effects of disconnecting the cerebral hemisphere.”Science, 217, 1223–1226.
Stevens, J.R., &Hermann, B.P. (1981). “Temporal lobe epilepsy, psychopathology, and violence: The state of the evidence.”Neurology, 31, 1127–1132.
Waxman, S.G., &Geschwind, N. (1975). “The interictal behavior syndrome in temporal lobe epilepsy.”Archives of General Psychiatroy, 32, 1580–1586.
Whitman, S., Coleman, T.E., Patmon, C., Desai, B.T., Cohen, R., &King, L.N. (1984). “Epilepsy prison: Elevated prevalence and no relationship to violence.Neurology, 34, 775–782.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Seward, J.D. Epilepsy, violence and aggression: Legal implications. JPCP 3, 35–43 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02806516
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02806516