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Abstract
We compared the MMPI-2 profiles of adults with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), epileptic seizures (ES), and nonepileptic seizures (NES). Both NES and MCS are medically unexplained conditions. In previous studies profiles associated with NES were elevated on scales Hs and Hy, compared with profiles associated with ES. We predicted that profiles associated with MCS would be elevated on Hs and Hy compared with the ES group. Patients with ES and NES were diagnosed after intensive EEG monitoring using published criteria. MCS was diagnosed if there was a complaint of illness in response to multiple common odors at levels that are not noxious to most people. All the MCS cases had legal claims for injury related to chemical exposures. The results showed that on MMPI-2 scales Hs, D, and Hy the MCS group had means significantly higher than both the ES and NES groups. Fake Bad Scale scores were elevated in 11 MCS cases, and regression-based estimates of Fake Bad Scale scores showed elevation in the MCS group compared with both seizure groups. We conclude that MMPI-2 data, obtained from people seeking financial compensation, indicate that there is a strong psychological component to MCS symptoms.
Acknowledgments
Some of these data were presented at the meeting of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology, June 10, 2004, Minneapolis.
Notes
Note. MCS = multiple chemical sensitivity, NES = nonepileptic seizures, ES = epileptic seizures, FBS = Fake Bad Scale raw scores estimated from regression equation, es1 = effect sizes of MCS compared with NES groups, es2 = effect sizes of MCS compared with ES groups. Effect sizes computed from pooled standard deviations. Positive effect size indicates a higher score in the MCS group than in the comparison group.