Clarice lispector and the experience of derealization: a possible literary expression of complex partial seizures
São Paulo Medical Journal 2025 DOI: 10.5327/1516-3180.cpn.1695 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key findings | Argues that Clarice Lispector's literary descriptions of derealization, emotional flooding, distorted time and space, and mystical unity closely resemble the subjective phenomena of temporal lobe epilepsy, suggesting her works reflect a neurological condition likely undiagnosed in her time; the authors also contend that symptoms in historical cultural figures have often been misinterpreted or romanticized. |
Abstract
Introduction: Clarice Lispector, one of the most important voices in Brazilian literature, often described states of altered consciousness in her narratives. In novels such as The Passion According to G.H. and Água Viva, she evokes intense experiences of derealization, emotional flooding, distortion of time and space, and mystical insight. These descriptions are strikingly like the subjective phenomena reported in complex partial seizures, especially those arising from the temporal lobe.
Objective: The aim of the study was to analyze selected passages from Lispector’s works in the context of neurology, investigating whether these literary experiences may mirror neurological manifestations. Additionally, the study seeks to raise awareness about the historical invisibility of mental and neurological conditions in influential artists, whose symptoms were often misinterpreted or romanticized in their time.
Methods: A qualitative analysis of literary excerpts was conducted based on symptomatic parallels with complex partial seizures, supported by a narrative literature review on temporal lobe epilepsy sourced from PubMed, SciELO, and standard neurology textbooks.
Results: Results show a strong resemblance between Lispector’s introspective accounts and clinical features of temporal lobe epilepsy, such as derealization and a sense of unity with the universe. The emotional and sensory experiences described by Lispector align with common phenomena in temporal lobe seizures, suggesting that her literary works reflect a neurological condition that was likely undiagnosed in her time.
Conclusion: We conclude that her literary style may offer valuable insights into altered neurological states, while also encouraging a more compassionate and informed view of the mental health of historical cultural figures.