PEP | Article - 'Studies of Syncope: (Iii) Differentiation Between Vasodepressor and Hysterical Fainting.': John Romano and George L. Engel. Psychosomatic Medicine, 1945, Vol. VII, pp. 3–15.

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Abstract

The authors differentiate between fainting of the vaso-depressor and hysterical types. In the vasodepressor type, neurotic emotional experiences are accompanied by circulatory changes resulting in pallor, sweating, changes in respiration and pulse and falling blood pressure with cerebral anæmia leading to changes in the electrical activity of the brain. These changes are the physical concomitants

of fear and anxiety which overwhelm the ego. The hysterical fainters live through a symbolic expression of an emotion. The unconsciousness represents a symbolic solution of unresolved emotional problems and is not accompanied by circulatory changes or changes in the electrical activity of the brain. One case of each type is presented in detail.