Familial psychogenic blindness and headache: a case study
Ziegler, D.K.; Schlemmer, R.B.
Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 55(3): 114-117
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0160-6689 PMID: 8071248 Document Number: 424376
Background: Amaurosis is an uncommon conversion phenomenon, which to our knowledge has never been reported in multiple family members. Method: A man and his two adult children, all afflicted with periods of blindness and accompanying severe headaches for varying periods of time (days to years), were examined and extensively studied radiologically and with multiple laboratory tests. Results: In all three individuals, no evidence of organic disease was found; all three recovered to varying degrees, usually after suggestion. Conclusion: Psychogenic amaurosis with headaches can simulate migraine; the mechanism for occurrence in a family is probably similar to that of mass hysteria.