Psychogenic non epileptic seizures: treatment for psychogenic seizures
How can we best treat PNES, how can we help you get back to health?
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Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures: what is neuropsychology showing us?
In December of 2012, the neuropsychology team from the Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group will present some interesting early findings about patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures as compared to patients with epilepsy. The study compared executive functions (planning and organizing, problem solving, attention, working memory, mental flexibility, set shifting) in patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES)
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Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures: stigma and strength in numbers
A few months back I wrote on my Navigating Epilepsy Blog about stigma in epilepsy. I’m writing on the same topic with regards to psychogenic non epileptic seizures because non-epileptic patients face this kind of stigma too. What is stigma?? According to www.dictionary.reference.com, it’s “a mark of disgrace; a stain or reproach, as on one’s
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Talking about Psychogenic Non Epileptic Seizures in Colombia (South America)
Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of being invited to Colombia with two of my colleagues from the Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group to the XVth National Epilepsy Congress. I was asked to speak about psychogenic non –epileptic seizures and in today’s blog I would like to share the experience with you. The congress was
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Anxiety and psychogenic non-epileptic seizures
Anxiety is a serious problem for most patients who have psychogenic non epileptic seizures. Why? Genetics and environment are both likely contributors. Anxious traits can be inherited. In addition, having experienced a painful history (which is common in most persons with PNES) that was not successfully dealt with leaves many with PNES poorly equipped to
Psychogenic non epileptic seizures (PNES) can disrupt life in a multitude of ways
Some think that because psychogenic non epileptic seizures are “psychological” that they somehow have less of an impact on life. But for many who have PNES, it can feel like a prison (see picture of handcuffs). PNES has some very real emotional and physical effects and the potential to affect the finances and independence of
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Psychogenic non epileptic seizures and anger: target for treatment
Research shows that a very high number of persons with PNES have suffered abuse in the past (see past blog posts). And experiences of abuse go along with distress and fear. So, PNES is commonly seen as fueled by anxiety and fear by clinicians. However, I am sure you have heard of the “fight or
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Psychogenic non epileptic seizures: difficulties in reading emotions accurately
In a 2005 article in Epilepsy and Behavior Journal Bewley et. al. reported that just over 90% of PNES sufferers scored positive for “Alexithymia.” What is alexithymia? It is a difficulty: 1) Identifying your own feelings 2) Distinguishing between emotional feelings and the bodily sensations that go along with emotion. 3) Describing feelings to other
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Psychogenic non epileptic seizures and PTSD
According to an article by PNES specialist, Dr. Marcus Reuber (2008), 90% of PNES sufferers have a history of trauma. Not surprisingly, many present with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This means that they have intrusive symptoms (e.g. nightmares, memories), avoidance behavior (of reminders), and hyperarousal symptoms (e.g. startle response, hypervigilance for danger). Research
Is there a treatment for psychogenic non epileptic seizures?
Yes, but… There are a myriad of factors that can affect the prognosis (whether the outcome will be good or bad). What are some of the factors we know support a good prognosis? 1) The sooner the right diagnosis is made. That avoids the condition becoming chronic and the suffering. But on average patients spend
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