Effects of Psychiatric Interview on Paroxysmal Cerebral Activity, Heart Rate, and Galvanic Skin Response in Emotionally Disturbed Children with Convulsive Disorders

Abstract

A total of 23 children who were considered to have both emotional and convulsive disorders were studied to determine the relationship between these two conditions. The EKG and GSR were used as measures of autonomic nervous system activity, the EEG to determine paroxysmal activity, and a simultaneously recorded interview to evaluate the emotional state of the child. Data obtained during control periods before and after the interview in comparison with those obtained during the interview itself showed that the heart rate and galvanic skin response were greater and the paroxysmal cerebral activity was less during the interview than in control periods. Furthermore, increased paroxysmal activity was often associated with inhibition of strong affect. Based on the pattern of EEG response to changes in the emotional state, the children were divided into 3 groups.