It was at this time she experienced a somatic crisis.

Absorbed by grief, they appeared to be insensible to the outward world.

A student was late; panicked, she had a tetany attack.

In a state of significant anxiety, accelerated breathing can be caused by physiological mechanisms, clinical signs suggestive of tetany.

It is important to distinguish seizures from `pseudo-seizures' (e.g. in hysteria or tetany) during which consciousness may appear altered but is not lost. ­ 2 priorities: stop the seizures and determine the cause.