Paulette Marie Gillig1. 1. Dr. Gillig is Professor of Psychiatry and Faculty of the Graduate School, Department of Psychiatry Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: All patients who exhibit seizure-like behavior cannot be evaluated by video-electroencephalography if their routine EEGs are negative, as this would be impractical and cost-prohibitive. The present article reviews a decision-making process that can be used for determining if further neurological evaluation is needed, the differential diagnoses and potential comorbidities involved when making this determination, and an approach to conveying the psychogenic nonepileptic seizure diagnosis to the patient that may help reduce symptom frequency. DESIGN: Literature review. CONCLUSION: Psychogenic seizures are not caused by abnormal brain electrical activity. The symptoms of psychogenic seizures usually reflect a psychological conflict or a psychiatric disorder. However, psychogenic seizures are not "purposely" produced by the patient, and the patient is not aware that the seizures are non-epileptic, so the patient may become very anxious over having these symptoms. The presentation of the differential diagnosis should be done early in the course of treatment for better patient acceptance, and treatment options should be presented early in the evaluation period.
OBJECTIVE: All patients who exhibit seizure-like behavior cannot be evaluated by video-electroencephalography if their routine EEGs are negative, as this would be impractical and cost-prohibitive. The present article reviews a decision-making process that can be used for determining if further neurological evaluation is needed, the differential diagnoses and potential comorbidities involved when making this determination, and an approach to conveying the psychogenic nonepileptic seizure diagnosis to the patient that may help reduce symptom frequency. DESIGN: Literature review. CONCLUSION:Psychogenic seizures are not caused by abnormal brain electrical activity. The symptoms of psychogenic seizures usually reflect a psychological conflict or a psychiatric disorder. However, psychogenic seizures are not "purposely" produced by the patient, and the patient is not aware that the seizures are non-epileptic, so the patient may become very anxious over having these symptoms. The presentation of the differential diagnosis should be done early in the course of treatment for better patient acceptance, and treatment options should be presented early in the evaluation period.
Authors: Sylvie J M van der Kruijs; Nynke M G Bodde; Maarten J Vaessen; Richard H C Lazeron; Kristl Vonck; Paul Boon; Paul A M Hofman; Walter H Backes; Albert P Aldenkamp; Jacobus F A Jansen Journal: J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry Date: 2011-11-05 Impact factor: 10.154