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'''Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures''' are a manifestation or a form of [[conversion disorder]].{{fact}} They take many forms, and particularly can mimic any sort of [[epileptic seizure]]; they are distinguished from [[epilepsy]] only in that they are not associated with abnormal, rhythmic discharges of cortical [[neuron|neurons]].{{fact}} The condition is not benign; people have broken bones, crashed automobiles, bitten off parts of their tongue, and even died from injuries sustained during non-epileptic seizures.{{fact}}
'''Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures''' are a manifestation or a form of [[conversion disorder]].<ref>http://www.emedicine.com/EMERG/topic112.htm</ref> They take many forms, and particularly can mimic any sort of [[epileptic seizure]]; they are distinguished from [[epilepsy]] only in that they are not associated with abnormal, rhythmic discharges of cortical [[neuron|neurons]].<ref>http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/topic403.htm</ref> The condition is not benign; people have broken bones, crashed automobiles, bitten off parts of their tongue, and even died from injuries sustained during non-epileptic seizures.{{fact}}


An older term for these, '''pseudoseizures''', should not be used. While it is correct that a non-epileptic seizure may resemble an epileptic seizure, [[pseudo]] can also connote "false, fraudulent, or pretending to be something that it is not." Non-epileptic seizures are not false, fraudulent, or produced under any sort of pretense. They are as real as any other sort of seizure; they are simply not produced by [[epilepsy]].{{fact}}
An older term for these, '''pseudoseizures''', should not be used. While it is correct that a non-epileptic seizure may resemble an epileptic seizure, [[pseudo]] can also connote "false, fraudulent, or pretending to be something that it is not." Non-epileptic seizures are not false, fraudulent, or produced under any sort of pretense.


==Misdiagnosis==
==Misdiagnosis==
Confounding [[neurology|neurologists]] and other [[physician]]s, psychogenic non-epileptic seizures are frequently misdiagnosed as [[epilepsy]]; less frequently, the reverse is true. Misdiagnosis means that appropriate treatments are not received by the patient. In addition, the former misdiagnosis is dangerous because it can result in administration of unnecessary (and even potentially harmful) medication; the latter because a person with epilepsy is not correctly treated with medication that could help them. Statistics on the [[prevalence]] of these misdiagnoses are not available.
Confounding [[neurology|neurologists]] and other [[physician]]s, psychogenic non-epileptic seizures are frequently misdiagnosed as [[epilepsy]]; less frequently, the reverse is true. Misdiagnosis means that appropriate treatments are not received by the patient. In addition, the former misdiagnosis is dangerous because it can result in administration of unnecessary (and even potentially harmful) medication; the latter because a person with epilepsy is not correctly treated with medication that could help them. Statistics on the [[prevalence]] of these misdiagnoses are not available.


Inpatient hospitalization for [[long-term Video-EEG monitoring|long term video-EEG monitoring]] is a costly but effective way to distinguish them from [[epileptic seizure]]s. They tend not to respond to anticonvulsant medications, but this is less useful as a diagnostic feature, as the same is true for some epileptic seizures. Also, many persons with epilepsy experience non-epileptic seizures as well; finding evidence of one does not rule out the presence of the other.
Inpatient hospitalization for [[long-term Video-EEG monitoring|long term video-EEG monitoring]] is a costly but effective way to distinguish them from [[epileptic seizure]]s. They tend not to respond to anticonvulsant medications. Also, many persons with epilepsy experience non-epileptic seizures as well; finding evidence of one does not rule out the presence of the other.


Many physicians measure serum [[prolactin]] levels in patients who may have non-epileptic seizures, because serum levels of prolactin are often elevated just following an epileptic seizure, returning to normal within 15 minutes.{{fact}} Still, a negative prolactin does not rule out epileptic seizures (Ahmad & Beckett 2004). Also, individuals with non-epileptic seizures may have elevated prolactin levels for other reasons, including intercurrent epilepsy and medication side effects.{{fact}}
Many physicians measure serum [[prolactin]] levels in patients who may have non-epileptic seizures, because serum levels of prolactin are often elevated just following an epileptic seizure, returning to normal within 15 minutes.<ref>http://professionals.epilepsy.com/page/hormones_postictal.html</ref><ref>Wyllie E, Luders H, Macmillan JP, et al. Serum prolactin levels after epileptic seizures. Neurology. 1984;34:1601-1604.</ref> Still, a negative prolactin does not rule out epileptic seizures (Ahmad & Beckett 2004). Also, individuals with non-epileptic seizures may have elevated prolactin levels for other reasons, including intercurrent epilepsy and medication side effects.{{fact}}


==Treatment==
==Treatment==


The patient with '''psychogenic non-epileptic seizures''' is sometimes found to give a history of childhood [[physical abuse]] or [[sexual abuse]] or other severe emotional [[Psychological trauma|trauma]]. (Betts, 1997.) However, treatment based on insight-oriented techniques or exploring of abuse histories has not been found to be effective.{{fact}}
The patient with '''psychogenic non-epileptic seizures''' is sometimes found to give a history of childhood [[physical abuse]] or [[sexual abuse]] or other severe emotional [[Psychological trauma|trauma]]. (Betts, 1997.) Treatment based on insight-oriented techniques or exploring of abuse histories has not been found to be effective.


Instead, treatment with [[cognitive therapy]] or [[behavioral therapy]] is focused on concrete strategies to recognize the onset of the seizures and use techniques to abort them, or to interrupt the stimulus-response pathway that produces them.{{fact}}
Instead, treatment with [[cognitive therapy]] or [[behavioral therapy]] is focused on concrete strategies to recognize the triggers of the seizures and use techniques to control them and eventually halt the onset.<ref>http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro03/web2/nthirugnanam.html</ref><ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A3347084</ref><ref>http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/164/1/7</ref><ref>http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/conversion-disorder/AN00622</ref><ref>http://healthgate.partners.org/browsing/LearningCenter.asp?fileName=96743.xml&title=</ref><ref>http://www.neuropsychiatryreviews.com/jul04/npr_jul04_psychogenic.html</ref>


==Controversy==
==Controversy==
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*[[hystero-epilepsy]]
*[[hystero-epilepsy]]
*[[Functional Neurological Deficit]]
*[[Functional Neurological Deficit]]
*[[Somatoform disorder]]


==References==
==References==
Line 36: Line 37:


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.neuropsychiatryreviews.com/jul04/npr_jul04_psychogenic.html Article in Neuropsychiatry news] This article has statistical research data which suggests that non-epileptic seizures can be dramatically improved with psychotherapy.
*[http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/answerplace/Medical/seizures/types/nonepileptic/weinonepilepsy.cfm Epilepsy Foundation article about non-epileptic seizures]
*[http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/answerplace/Medical/seizures/types/nonepileptic/weinonepilepsy.cfm Epilepsy Foundation article about non-epileptic seizures]
*[http://www.epilepsy.com/articles/ar_1112967056.html Epilepsy.com article about non-epileptic seizures]
*[http://www.epilepsy.com/articles/ar_1112967056.html Epilepsy.com article about non-epileptic seizures]
*[http://www.e-epilepsy.org.uk/pages/articles/show_article.cfm?id=48 National Society for Epilepsy (UK) article on Non-epileptic attack disorder]. A slightly more technical article aimed at health professionals.
*[http://www.e-epilepsy.org.uk/pages/articles/show_article.cfm?id=48 National Society for Epilepsy (UK) article on Non-epileptic attack disorder]. A slightly more technical article aimed at health professionals.

[[Category:Psychiatry]]
[[Category:Psychiatry]]
[[Category:Neurological disorders]]
[[Category:Neurological disorders]]
[[Category:Emergency medicine]]
[[Category:Emergency medicine]]
[[Category:Somatoform Disorders]]

Revision as of 04:18, 21 January 2007

Psychogenic non-epileptic seizure
SpecialtyPsychiatry, psychology Edit this on Wikidata

Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures are a manifestation or a form of conversion disorder.[1] They take many forms, and particularly can mimic any sort of epileptic seizure; they are distinguished from epilepsy only in that they are not associated with abnormal, rhythmic discharges of cortical neurons.[2] The condition is not benign; people have broken bones, crashed automobiles, bitten off parts of their tongue, and even died from injuries sustained during non-epileptic seizures.[citation needed]

An older term for these, pseudoseizures, should not be used. While it is correct that a non-epileptic seizure may resemble an epileptic seizure, pseudo can also connote "false, fraudulent, or pretending to be something that it is not." Non-epileptic seizures are not false, fraudulent, or produced under any sort of pretense.

Misdiagnosis

Confounding neurologists and other physicians, psychogenic non-epileptic seizures are frequently misdiagnosed as epilepsy; less frequently, the reverse is true. Misdiagnosis means that appropriate treatments are not received by the patient. In addition, the former misdiagnosis is dangerous because it can result in administration of unnecessary (and even potentially harmful) medication; the latter because a person with epilepsy is not correctly treated with medication that could help them. Statistics on the prevalence of these misdiagnoses are not available.

Inpatient hospitalization for long term video-EEG monitoring is a costly but effective way to distinguish them from epileptic seizures. They tend not to respond to anticonvulsant medications. Also, many persons with epilepsy experience non-epileptic seizures as well; finding evidence of one does not rule out the presence of the other.

Many physicians measure serum prolactin levels in patients who may have non-epileptic seizures, because serum levels of prolactin are often elevated just following an epileptic seizure, returning to normal within 15 minutes.[3][4] Still, a negative prolactin does not rule out epileptic seizures (Ahmad & Beckett 2004). Also, individuals with non-epileptic seizures may have elevated prolactin levels for other reasons, including intercurrent epilepsy and medication side effects.[citation needed]

Treatment

The patient with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures is sometimes found to give a history of childhood physical abuse or sexual abuse or other severe emotional trauma. (Betts, 1997.) Treatment based on insight-oriented techniques or exploring of abuse histories has not been found to be effective.

Instead, treatment with cognitive therapy or behavioral therapy is focused on concrete strategies to recognize the triggers of the seizures and use techniques to control them and eventually halt the onset.[5][6][7][8][9][10]

Controversy

Proponents of anti-psychiatry (q.v.) bring the same criticisms to the diagnosis of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures as they do to other psychiatric diagnoses.[citation needed]

See also

References

  • Ahmad S, Beckett MW. Value of serum prolactin in the management of syncope. Emerg Med J 2004;21:e3. Fulltext. PMID 14988379.
  • Betts, T. "Chapter 265: Conversion Disorders." In Epilepsy, a Comprehensive Textbook, ed. Engel, J., and Pedley, T, Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia, 1997.

External links

  1. ^ http://www.emedicine.com/EMERG/topic112.htm
  2. ^ http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/topic403.htm
  3. ^ http://professionals.epilepsy.com/page/hormones_postictal.html
  4. ^ Wyllie E, Luders H, Macmillan JP, et al. Serum prolactin levels after epileptic seizures. Neurology. 1984;34:1601-1604.
  5. ^ http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro03/web2/nthirugnanam.html
  6. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A3347084
  7. ^ http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/164/1/7
  8. ^ http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/conversion-disorder/AN00622
  9. ^ http://healthgate.partners.org/browsing/LearningCenter.asp?fileName=96743.xml&title=
  10. ^ http://www.neuropsychiatryreviews.com/jul04/npr_jul04_psychogenic.html
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