Virtual psychogenic non-epileptic seizures conference for patients, loved ones and their clinicians: Update on current treatments for PNES in adults and children

For six years straight, the Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group (NEREG), hosted an annual PNES conference for patients, caregivers, and in the last few years, for health professionals too. Our last and sixth conference was held in 2019 and then, as we all know, the world ground to a halt due to the 2020 pandemic. So, imagine how much excitement we feel in announcing that on April 29 NEREG will once again be hosting...

Testimonial: Two years seizure free

For this month’s blog post, we have the pleasure and honor of having invited writer, Katie Berger, author of “View from the Floor: Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures: A patient’s perspective” share her experiences with us. Wonderfully, she has now been seizure-free for two years, but I urge you to read her story because in it you will see how this was not an overnight or easy occurrence, and...

New: The Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (also known as dissociative seizures) Pocketbook

In a few weeks, a new book on PNES is going to be published and will be called: The Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (also known as dissociative seizures) Pocketbook. The word “pocketbook” is in its title because it is meant to be just that: a book that a clinician might carry in her/his pocket for quick reference when working with a person who has PNES. And it has two names for the diagnosis: psychogenic...

Students living with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES)-a new study

For almost 20 years, I have been a school nurse. During one of my first years as a school nurse, I met a student with what health care providers were then calling pseudoseizures. While many school personnel were very supportive of this student, there were just as many who were NOT. I heard comments about this student faking seizures. I saw the student miss many days of school. And I watched the student fall farther...

Service animals for people living with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES): some thoughts

I get asked about service dogs for PNES quite a bit and over the last few years, I have had the opportunity to observe my patients’ service dogs and emotional support animals in action. The ones who are really well-trained have left me very impressed at how useful they are in ensuring safety and also for some patients, their seizures have been significantly reduced after the dog was brought on board. So, here are...