Using personality disorders to distinguish between patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures and those with epileptic seizures

2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 138-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nese Direk ◽  
Isin Baral Kulaksizoglu ◽  
Kadriye Alpay ◽  
Candan Gurses
Keyword(s):  
Personality Disorders ◽  
Epileptic Seizures ◽  
Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures ◽  
Nonepileptic Seizures

scholarly journals Neuropsychological aspects of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (4 suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 24-27
Author(s):  
Mirna Wetters Portuguez ◽  
Danielle Irigoyen da Costa ◽  
Sabine Possa Marroni ◽  
Vanessa Pagliarini ◽  
Karin Vieira
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Physical Abuse ◽  
Multidisciplinary Team ◽  
Emotional Abuse ◽  
Epileptic Seizures ◽  
Mental Processes ◽  
Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures ◽  
Therapeutic Procedures ◽  
Nonepileptic Seizures ◽  
The Brain

Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) may be defined as paroxysmal changes in behavior that are similar to epileptic seizures but are not associated with quantifiable alterations in the electrical activity of the brain. At the Epilepsy Surgery Program (ESP) of the São Lucas Hospital at PUCRS (HSL-PUCRS), we studied 52 individuals (37 females and 15 males) with a diagnosis of PNES, associated (57%) or not (23%) with refractory epileptic seizures. We found emotional abuse (100%), physical abuse (80%), emotional neglect (80%), physical negligence (70%) and sexual abuse (30%), mood (40%) and anxiety disorders (50%), as the main psychological components in such population. Although the medical and psychosocial impact of PNES can be estimated as significant, the absence of specialized services for its treatment is striking. Multiple diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and the participation of a specialized multidisciplinary team – where neuropsychology functions as a link between the mental processes/psychopathologies and the brain – are required to ensure proper management of such cases.

scholarly journals Spectrum of Nonepileptic Paroxysmal Events in Children from Southern India

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (04) ◽  
pp. 608-612
Author(s):  
Vykuntaraju K Gowda ◽  
Raghavendraswami Amoghimath ◽  
Naveen Benakappa ◽  
Sanjay K Shivappa
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Epileptic Seizures ◽  
Breath Holding ◽  
Home Video ◽  
Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures ◽  
Wrong Diagnosis ◽  
Nonepileptic Seizures ◽  
Eeg Recordings

Abstract Background Nonepileptic paroxysmal events (NEPEs) present with episodes similar to epileptic seizures but without abnormal electrical discharge on electroencephalogram (EEG). NEPEs are commonly misdiagnosed as epilepsy. Epilepsy is diagnosed on the basis of a detailed history and examination. Emphasis during history to rule out the possibility of NEPE is important. The wrong diagnosis of epilepsy can lead to physical, psychological, and financial harm to the child and the family. Hence, this study was planned. Objective The objective of the study is to evaluate clinical profile, frequency, and spectrum of NEPE in children. Materials and Methods This is a prospective observational study. Patients with NEPE between January 2014 and August 2016 aged < 18 years were enrolled. NEPEs were diagnosed on the basis of history, home video, and EEG recordings. Patients were divided into different categories according to age, specific type of disorder, and system responsible. Patients were followed for their NEPE frequency and outcome. Results A total of 3,660 children presented with paroxysmal events; of them 8% were diagnosed with NEPE. Patients diagnosed with NEPE were classified into three age groups on the basis of their age of onset of symptom; of the total 285 patients, there were 2 neonates (0.7%), 160 infants (56%), and 123 children and adolescents (43.1%). Fifty-eight percent patients were boys. The most common diagnoses were breath-holding spells 113 (39%), followed by syncope 38 (13.3%) and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures 37 (12.9%). About 9 and 5% of patients had concomitant epilepsy and developmental delay, respectively. Conclusions NEPEs account for 8% of paroxysmal events. Most common NEPEs were breath-holding spells among infants and syncope and “psychogenic nonepileptic seizures” in children and adolescents.

Validity testing in veterans with epileptic seizures and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures

2020 ◽  
Vol 111 ◽  
pp. 107246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Salinsky ◽  
Laurence Binder ◽  
Daniel Storzbach ◽  
Karen Parko ◽  
Paul Rutecki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epileptic Seizures ◽  
Validity Testing ◽  
Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures ◽  
Nonepileptic Seizures

Prolonged Exposure Therapy for Comorbid Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorna Myers ◽  
Laurie Zandberg
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Prolonged Exposure ◽  
Epileptic Seizures ◽  
Psychological Trauma ◽  
Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures ◽  
Full Remission ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
Prolonged Exposure Therapy ◽  
History Of ◽  
Nonepileptic Seizures

Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) superficially resemble epileptic seizures but are not associated with epileptic discharges in the brain. Instead, these episodes, which tend to occur with alterations in consciousness and body movements, are thought to be the result of mechanisms of conversion and dissociation. Psychological trauma and PTSD are very prevalent among patients with PNES. PNES can be conceived of as an extreme avoidance mechanism that serves the function of modulating distress and, in some cases, eliminating the precipitant stressor. Avoidance is also an essential component of PTSD. In patients who carry a dual diagnosis of PNES and PTSD, it is sensible that an empirically validated treatment for PTSD such as prolonged exposure (PE) therapy which targets avoidance by promoting exposure might be a useful approach to treat these patients. In this report, we present the case of a 52-year-old male with a 7-year history of PNES. His seizures, which were characterized by intense body shaking and loud guttural outbursts, were occurring up to 15 times per day. Because of these symptoms, he lost his employment and was ostracized by his family. Upon completion of a course of intensive outpatient PE, he achieved full remission of all psychogenic symptoms. Except for three brief seizures, he has maintained his health for 2 years. This constitutes the first detailed report of PE therapy used to effectively treat comorbid PNES and posttraumatic stress symptoms.

scholarly journals Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures in children and adolescents with epilepsy

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (4 suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 10-14
Author(s):  
Kette Dualibi R. Valente
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Lower Risk ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Epileptic Seizures ◽  
Psychological Process ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures ◽  
Nonepileptic Seizures

Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) are defined by episodes of abnormal movement, sensations, or cognitive experiences similar to epileptic seizures. These events, however, are not related to abnormal electrical brain discharges and are thought to be cause by a psychological process. Children appear to carry a lower risk for PNES compared to adults and yet this diagnosis maybe present in up to 10% of the pediatric patients. The main features of PNES in such age group is discussed.

Approach to Loss of Consciousness: Distinguishing Epileptic Seizures, Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures, and Syncope

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (06) ◽  
pp. 667-672
Author(s):  
Ima Ebong ◽  
Zahra Haghighat ◽  
Meriem Bensalem-Owen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Examination ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Epileptic Seizures ◽  
Loss Of Consciousness ◽  
Transient Loss Of Consciousness ◽  
Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures ◽  
Transient Loss ◽  
Nonepileptic Seizures

AbstractTransient loss of consciousness (TLOC) is a common emergent neurological issue, which can be attributed to syncope, epileptic seizures, and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures. The purpose of this article is to outline an approach to diagnosing the most common etiologies of TLOC by focusing on the importance of the history and physical examination, as well as targeted diagnostic tests.

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