Even though psychogenic disorders, including psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) have been around for centuries, they continue to be the subject of ignorance and stigma. Often, the general public as well as health professionals (including emergency medical personnel, neurologists, and mental health professionals) do not understand them and can end up making things worse. Patients and […]
KT has written this powerful poem about her struggle with her mysterious illness-psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) and the importance of finally being told what it was exactly that she has been suffering. She has generously agreed to share with us and we thank her for that. Friends-close friends from near and far decide it is
For the past year or so I have had a survey up on www.nonepilepticseizures.com homepage. It asks: How long have you been suffering non-epileptic episodes? 109 responses were received. Note that this is not a scientific survey that is based on those who wished to respond. Over 40% reported that PNES has been part of
Why do Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) become chronic for so many? Read More »
Recently I read a couple of comments about psychogenic seizures on an epilepsy professional Forum and was thoroughly disappointed and irritated to say the least. Although the tone of the comments was essentially professional and apparently trying to be helpful, I was taken aback by how dismissively the PNES patient was spoken of by these
Health Professionals Need to become educated about Psychogenic seizures (PNES) Read More »
Katie is contributing this month’s blog post. In it she gives useful advice based on her own experiences about how to deal with PNES in the workplace. She describes “The Talk” that you may want to have with your boss and workmates and how you might explain to them what you need them to do
Katie offers advice on psychogenic non-epileptic seizures at the workplace Read More »
For the past year and a half I have been writing a book on psychogenic seizures for those living with PNES as well as their caregivers and the professionals who work with them. As we all know, psychogenic seizures look very much like epileptic seizures, but are not triggered by electrical anomalies in the brain
An article came out earlier this week in USA Today that underscored a very serious problem that persons with psychogenic non epileptic seizures (and other mental health conditions) face. Only half of psychiatrists accept insurance which means that if you need treatment you need to be prepared to pay large out-of-pocket fees. This is not
Katie is 22 years old and will graduate from college this spring. She has also had psychogenic non-epileptic seizures for 4 years. She contacted me because she wants to be a voice and advocate for PNES, to help others realize they are not alone and that there is hope, and to make positive strides for
Katie shares her experience of living with psychogenic seizures for 4 years Read More »
In July 2013, we published an article in the Journal Epilepsy and Behavior looking at: Psychological trauma in patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures: Trauma characteristics and those who develop PTSD. The full article can be found here: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1525505013001819). We found that 45 out of 61 (73.8%) patients reported experiencing at least one traumatic event in
I have psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) but was never traumatized: Is this you? Read More »
About ten days ago I announced that we will be offering a psychogenic non-epileptic webinar in September of 2013. I received incredibly positive responses from patients, family members and a number of health professionals. But I was surprised to receive some unhappy comments from others in the medical profession. Today’s blog talks about some of
Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures webinar in 2013-differences in opinions Read More »
